Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2003 Pontiac AztekRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 141 owner complaints for the 2003 Pontiac Aztek. Most complaints involve electrical system (26) and fuel system, gasoline (23). 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
4campaigns
Latest Aug 2007
Owner complaints
141
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 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 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

141 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2002 – Aug 2022
  1. Electrical system26
  2. Fuel system, gasoline23
  3. Engine and engine cooling21
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic15
  5. Power train14
  6. Suspension13
  7. Fuel/propulsion system12
  8. Steering10
  9. Visibility7

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
6
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
8
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

26 reports5 fires
“I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY AZREK SHUTTING OFF ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND NOW IT WINT EVEN START. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND VAPOR SENSOR DUE TO IT NOT GETTING ANY FUEL PRESSURE. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND THERE ARE 2 DIFFERENT RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN DONE DUE TO MY VIN NOT BEING ACNOWLEGED WITH THE RECALL”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 5, 2018Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11067057

Fuel system, gasoline

23 reports
“DASH LOSING DIFFERENT COMPONENT OPERATION. STARTED WITH FUEL GAUGE AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE THEN AFFECTED RADIO LIGHTS AND LCD DISPLAY. NOW VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER HAS BECOME ERRATIC AND UNTRUSTWORTHY. RADIO LIGHTS AND DISPLAY AN INCONVENIENCE BUT THE COMBINATION OF FUEL AND NOW THE SPEEDOMETER NOT READING PROPERLY IS CAUSING A CONCERN FOR SAFETY. AT THE RATE THIS IS GOING THE WHOLE DASH WILL BE MALFUNCTIONING SOON. ACCORDING TO WHAT I SEE THE PARTS ALONE CAN BE $300 - $500 PLUS THE REPAIR CHARGES. INTERNET HAS COUNTLESS ENTRIES ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ON THE PONTIAC AZTEKS BUT NO SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE AND NO MENTIONING OF ANY RECALLS BY PONTIAC. WHY ISN'T THE NHTSA LOOKING INTO THIS WITH SO MANY PROBLEMS BEING SHARED ON THE INTERNET? WHY ARE THE OWNERS BEING REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS SINCE IT'S SUCH A WIDESPREAD AZTEK ISSUE? *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 8, 2011Fuel system, gasoline, Electrical systemODI 10438987

Engine and engine cooling

21 reports
“IT STARTED RUNNING ON ITS OWN AND THE RPM'S WENT UP TO 3000 IN PARK GEAR. I TOOK IT BACK TO COLONIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY LOOKED AT IT AND DECIDED THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY IAC - IDLE AIR CONTROL MOTOR REPLACED. THE NEXT DAY 4/28/11, I PICKED UP MY CAR AND DROVE IT HOME. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH EVERYTHING WAS FIXED AND WORKING FINE. UNTIL, I DROVE MY CAR ON 4/30/11. THAT IS WHEN MY CAR'S RPM WENT UP TO 3500 IN PARK GEAR. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR FROM SOUTH BOSTON, MA ALL THE WAY TO THE CAR DEALERSHIP IN WATERTOWN, MA WITHOUT STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH. NOW THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING I NEED TO REPLACE THE TPS - THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. I AM NOT SURE THIS IS GOING TO FIX MY PROBLEM BUT I KNOW THAT I NEEDED TO REPORT THIS TO NHTSA. MOST LIKELY YOU WILL BE RECEIVED ANOTHER EMAIL FROM ME SHORTLY. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS AND RESOLVED. I DO NOT WANT TO BE IN MY CAR AND HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T WANT IT TO SEEM LIKE THIS PROBLEM WAS NEVER REPORTED TO PONTIAC OR NHTSA. THIS CAN SAVE A LOT OF PEOPLES LIVES. PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM AND GET BACK TO ME. PREVIOUS EMAIL SENT TO [email protected] ON…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 3, 2011Engine and engine coolingODI 10398747
All 2003 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 2003 Pontiac Aztek as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4944
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

2003 Aztek questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Pontiac Aztek have?

4 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 2003 Pontiac Aztek problems?

Owners filed 141 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (26), fuel system, gasoline (23), engine and engine cooling (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Pontiac Aztek get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Pontiac Aztek at 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026