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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2002 Pontiac AztekRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 130 owner complaints for the 2002 Pontiac Aztek. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (23) and electrical system (20). The EPA rates it 18–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–20mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Aug 2007
Owner complaints
130
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

130 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2002 – Apr 2017
  1. Engine and engine cooling23
  2. Electrical system20
  3. Suspension20
  4. Fuel system, gasoline19
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic12
  6. Structure11
  7. Equipment11
  8. Latches/locks/linkages10
  9. Power train9

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
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
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

Engine and engine cooling

23 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC AZTEC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE HEAD GASKET OVERHEATED ON THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT BY THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE RISING ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2010Engine and engine coolingODI 10369915

Electrical system

20 reports
“AS NOTED IN PREVIOUS STATEMENTS THIS VEHICLE IS DIFFICULTY AT STARTING AND CRANKING AT VARIOUS SITUATION. PLAYING THE RADIO WITH ENGINE OFF, MUST WAIT TEN MINUTES BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO START, THEN IT MAY CRANK OR YOU HAVE TO START OVER. ITS NOT THE RADIO ITS THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AS DONE IN THE PAST. IT DOESN'T MATTER, STOP, OR MOVING IT HAS DONE ALL YOU MENTION, AND WITH THE LIGHTS OFF AT NIGHT YOU CAN INJURED A PEDESTRIAN OR OURSELVES. THIS CAR WAS RECALL AND IT WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN FIX BUT HERE WE STUCK HERE FROM 04/07/17 POSSIBLY WILL GET HELP FROM THE NEAREST GMC CAR DEALER ON 04/10/17. KEEP ALL THIS INFORMATION FOR OFFICIAL USED ONLY. THANKS UPDATED 05/17/17*LJ UPDATED 07/25/2017*JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 8, 2017Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 10971442

Suspension

20 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC AZTEC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE NOTICED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT FIND ANY FAILURE ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. ..UPDATED 09/04/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST FAILURE WAS JUST OVER A YEAR AGO. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 40-45, RPMS REACHED 3000-3100. WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED THE RPMS REACHED 1500-1700. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS REVIEWING THE INFORMATION FROM THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF REPAIRS WERE WARRANTED AND WHETHER GM WOULD ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. UPDATED 09/17/2012 *JS *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2012Suspension, Service brakes, hydraulic, Vehicle speed controlODI 10467524
All 2002 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
162218$3,450494
  • 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 · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    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 2002 Pontiac Aztek as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4644
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

2002 Aztek questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Pontiac Aztek have?

3 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 2002 Pontiac Aztek problems?

Owners filed 130 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (23), electrical system (20), suspension (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Pontiac Aztek get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Pontiac Aztek at 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026