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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2001 Pontiac AztekRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 227 owner complaints for the 2001 Pontiac Aztek. Most complaints involve electrical system (43) and engine and engine cooling (31). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–20mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Aug 2007
Owner complaints
227
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, VARIATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OR EXPOSURE TO HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES MAY LEAD TO FRACTURE OF THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV).

Fuel system, gasolineReported Aug 8, 2007NHTSA 07V349000

Fuel system

Free remedy

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Fuel system, otherReported Mar 12, 2007NHTSA 07E021000

Equipment: owners

Free remedy

CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.

EquipmentReported Jul 15, 2003NHTSA 03V250000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

227 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2000 – May 2019
  1. Electrical system43
  2. Engine and engine cooling31
  3. Fuel system, gasoline30
  4. Equipment28
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic27
  6. Air bags26
  7. Power train23
  8. Visibility13
  9. Tires12

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Aztek model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001227
2002130
2003141
200467
200534
Crashes reported
14
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
18
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

43 reports2 crashes3 fires
“BOUT 3 WEEKS AGO CAR JUST KEEP ACTING UP HAD IT FOR ONE YEAR CANT READ CODES ON CAR KEEP OVERHEATING REPLACED RADIATOR CVL AXLE BRAKES OIL CHANGE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAR JUST DECIDED TO NOT PASS 50MPH BE DRIVEABLE ONE DAY DRIVING IT WENT TO A STOP SIGN BRAKE CAR CUT OFF I SEE CHECK GAUGES COME ON SERVICE LIGHT ON CANT READ CODES TO FIND OUT ANYTHING I THINK THE WIRING IS MESS UP REPLACED STARTED AS WELL JUST TO MUCH ONLY HAD IT FOR A 1AND A HALF”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 23, 2019Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11209417

Engine and engine cooling

31 reports1 fire
“PURCHASED THE PONTIAC 2001 AZTEK FROM A DEALER USED. THE FIRST WEEK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SECOND WEEK THE SERVICE VEHICLE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE THERMOMETER GAUGE WAS STUCK IN COLD, TOOK THE CAR TO CHECKERS AUTOPARTS TO DIAGNOSE. WAS A BAD THERMOSTAT. ANOTHER WEEK LATER THE ENGINE STARTED OVERHEATING. STOPPED CHECKED COOLANT. WAS GONE OUT OF THE RESERVOIR, WHICH I JUST HAD FILLED AT JIFFY LUBE THAT MORNING. STOPPED BY THEM AGAIN, THEY CHECKED THE LIQUIDS, FOUND COOLANT MIXED IN WITH THE OIL. ADVISED NOT TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SINCE IT CAN MESS UP THE ENGINE. CALLED DEALER AND HAD THEM TOW IT. THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR THE PAST 4 DAYS. STATED THAT IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. WONDERING IF THIS VEHICLE IS SAFE AFTER READING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING IT. AND ALSO IF PONTIAC WOULD FIX IT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 18, 2010Engine and engine coolingODI 10361102

Fuel system, gasoline

30 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO INDICATE THE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT WAS STORED IN THE FUEL TANK AFTER IT WAS REFUELED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSE THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FLOATER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 16, 2014Fuel system, gasolineODI 10610949
All 2001 Aztek problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.4L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Aztek FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
Aztek AWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162319$3,300468
  • Aztek FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Aztek AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Pontiac Aztek as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4300
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 Aztek questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Pontiac Aztek have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Pontiac Aztek problems?

Owners filed 227 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (43), engine and engine cooling (31), fuel system, gasoline (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Pontiac Aztek get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Pontiac Aztek at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026