Faults:
Head gasket failure at 92,000 miles, causing engine oil to get into the coolant. Two fuel injectors were replaced at that time.
Left front wheel bearing assembly replaced because the ABS sensor was bad.
Front brakes replaced at 120,000 miles for the first time. Rear brakes seem to be original after 140,000 miles.
A number of light bulbs burned out in the radio and heater controls. They are soldered in and not intended to be replaced (but I replaced them anyway). You're supposed to replace an expensive component part.
Replacing the gear selector light is an involved job.
The lift gate can be tricky to open, the latches don't always release well.
General Comments:
This is my third Aztek, and I'd buy another one.
The first two were totaled - one on a freeway. My only injury was a bruise on my arm from the air bag in the steering wheel.
The second was totaled when I was stopped behind another vehicle at a traffic signal and was rear-ended by a 4-wheel drive at 45 MPH. I was hit hard enough that the car in front of me was pushed through the intersection. The back of the Aztek was pushed in two feet, glass from the lift gate ended up on the dash. I had no visible injuries.
I get a consistent 26-27 MPG on the highway with it.
Some people complain about the rear spoiler. True, it DOES obstruct your vision - but it also directly blocks the headlights of that idiot tailgating you with his brights on.
Headlight bulbs are a simple, no-tools-required change.
Back seats come out easily, although they are somewhat heavy.
There is a tent package available and it works well. However the air mattress isn't good, a standard full size (I suggest foam) mattress from Ikea fits well and feels better.
It has a removable center console which is also an insulated cooler. It will accommodate 6-8 cans of your favorite beverage.
24th Feb 2009, 23:27
I have a 2002 Pontiac Aztek also. And at 40,000 miles the rear hatch would not open by trunk release or key!
34,000 radio light went out so you don't have time or know what station your on.
Air conditioning not cold.
Today the entire gauges cluster was going off and on the doors wouldn't lock, windows wouldn't work, the radio was going on and off, and the sound of the locking mechanism was going off and on. I barely made it to Pontiac "it was like nothing I had ever seen" and I have had 4 Pontiacs; Ventura, GTO, 2 others, Nissan Sentra and Ford Mustang 5.0! It was like a ghost in the machine!
Pontiac called and they say it's the body control module, COST $563.00.
Now I'm gonna be honest, best car I ever had was the 1974 GTO, no problems and nothing but a Porsche beat it, but since then every car (1992 FORD FIX OR REPAIR DAILY) is true for the 5.0 1992 Mustang; doors so big the hinges mess up, tail end swings too much, causing wrecks, windows go off track.
But Nissan, no problems, none, it lasted to 125,000 miles and still going...
The reason I bought the Aztek is because I needed a SUV for the country; an AWD or 4 wheel drive.
I went first off to Nissan, but their door entry was so high up to get into the SUV it would take a ladder.. same for the Hummer; great if you have a hoard of dead zombies trying to get in the SUV, you'd be safe, they can't get in or climb in, it's too high up.. People with bad backs, legs or short legs would have to have a step ladders to get in, but the Aztek was at least reachable & had all wheel drive, but the repair cost of things going bad... you need to have a RICH UNCLE, maybe two of them!
Come on Pontiac, what happen to reliable? Was it lost with the 1974 GTO? Too many having problems with the body control module and things that are supposed to last at least 50,000 miles... And Pontiac puts a huge support bar right across the battery, so it take 30 minutes if you're lucky to just remove things to get to the battery to work on it or replace it.
Even foreign cars, as small as they are, you can easily get to engine parts to replace them.