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).
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
2004 Pontiac AztekRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 67 owner complaints for the 2004 Pontiac Aztek. Most complaints involve electrical system (15) and service brakes, hydraulic (9). The EPA rates it 18–20 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
18–20mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Aug 2007
Owner complaints
67
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
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.
Electrical system: ignition
Free remedy
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION ON IGNITION RELAY CONTACTS CAN CAUSE HIGH RESISTANCE. THIS CAN AFFECT SIGNALS TO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND, COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY TIME.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
67 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2004 – Apr 2020
- Electrical system15
- Service brakes, hydraulic9
- Fuel/propulsion system8
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Suspension8
- Fuel system, gasoline7
- Engine5
- Air bags5
- Power train4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Electrical system
15 reports
“MY CAR TURN OFF ON MY CHILDREN AND I ON THE HIGHWAY THANK GOD WE WAS ABLE TO COAST ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT MY IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT OUTTA NO WHERE NOT ONLY THAT CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND FUEL LINE EXHAUSTED SYSTEM SOMETHING WRONG ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. WITH THAT BEING SAID I'M GREAT MY CHILDREN WAS NOT HURT DOING THIS ORDEAL. I LEARNED THAT THESE CARS HAVE FEW COMPLAINTS. BUT DO HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND VACUUM HOW'S EXHAUSTED. JUST GOT THE CAR I MARCH AND FOUND OUT BOUT THIS RECALL I'M SO DISAPPOINTED SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR RIGHT NOW.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
9 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHT AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE FELT THE METAL WITHIN THE BRAKE PEDAL RUBBING TOGETHER WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC THEN DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,444. UPDATED 04/11/12*LJ UPDATED 04/17/12”
Fuel/propulsion system
8 reports
“I HAVE BEEN SMELLING GAS FROM MY CAR FOR YEARS BUT JUST NEVER HAD THE MONEY TO GET IT LOOKED AT. I EVEN CALLED ABOUT RECALLS CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM THAT I FOUND OUT ABOUT THROUGH RESEARCH IN 2015 BUT WAS TOLD THEY HAD BEEN CLOSED SO I WOULD BE CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS EVEN IF IT WAS PREVIOUSLY COVERED UNDER RECALL. I NO LONGER FILL MY TANK WITH GAS BECAUSE THERE IS A LEAK. I JUST GOT MY CAR BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATE THAT I NEED A NEW FUEL TANK, AND FUEL LEVER SENSOR AND SENDER. ALSO, HAVE OIL LEAKS IN 2 PLACES, THEY TELL ME I NEED UPPER & LOWER INTAKE GASKETS. AS WELL AS VALVE COVER GASKETS & OIL PUMP DRIVE O-RING REPLACED AND OIL PAN GASKET REPLACED. ALSO, NEEDS WATER PUMP AND DRIVE BELT REPLACED.I ALSO FOR THE PAST 3 OR SO YEARS HAVE TO KEEP A PEN OR PENCIL IN MY CAR TO INSERT UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL TO RELEASE MY KEY .”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
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
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aztek FWD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Aztek AWD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
- 20mpg comb.
- 18mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Pontiac Aztek as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1250
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2004 Aztek questions
How many recalls does the 2004 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 2004 Pontiac Aztek problems?
Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (15), service brakes, hydraulic (9), fuel/propulsion system (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2004 Pontiac Aztek get?
The EPA rates the 2004 Pontiac Aztek at 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026