NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,641 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Pontiac Aztek electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Pontiac Aztek Owner Comments

problem #15

Apr 072017

Aztek 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 updated 07/25/2017

- Cross, SC, USA

problem #14

Sep 292015

Aztek

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Aztek. While driving 45 mph, the alarm system sounded, the locks operated on their own, and the trunk opened without being prompted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 180,000.

- Grand Blanc, MI, USA

problem #13

Jan 012010

Aztek

  • 110,000 miles
Will be driving down the road and horn starts going off, all the electricals flash off and on. Windows, door locks, and rear hatch becomes non operational. Only way to stop is to pull over immediatly and shut car down but not always effective. Alarm will go off all on it's own sporadically.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #12

Jul 192010

Aztek

  • 74,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle dash goes crazy service engine light and change oil light will not go off. Many diagnostic tests no popped code nor bad fuses. Now security warning and anti theft turns on my vehicle goes on lock down no ac, windows and doors lock down I can not get out. This has happened two times. Also newest thing is my vehicle shut of in mid drive, good thing I was in my driveway otherwise it could have been very bad accident. This is a on and off thing no warning. Now three time incident, but 1st for vehicle shut off engine.

- Bradenton , FL, USA

problem #11

Jul 012008

Aztek

  • 92,402 miles
I have a 2002 Pontiac Aztek and there's a ticking noise in the motor and the oil is good and all the other fluids are good. My A/C stop working and the back hatch doesn't unlock sometimes and to fix the problem I have to disconnect the battery for about 15mins or longer for it to work, can you tell me what could be the problem and how to fix it.

- Summerville , SC, USA

problem #10

Jun 272008

Aztek

  • 102,000 miles
My tailgate began not opening and then all of my electric panel lights went out, windows locked up, radio locked, security light on. I am told that the wire harness in the dash went bad and there was a cost of over $400 to repair the wiring.

- Bastrop, TX, USA

problem #9

Jul 242008

Aztek

  • 78,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It began with my rear hatch not working on my 2002 Pontiac Aztek. Then the ignition began sticking and culminated with the alarm going off (while driving) and all electrical systems shutting down with increasing frequency. When this occurs, all gauges are shut down, the doors are disabled, headlights (all lights) are disabled. I've looked online and talked to the dealership. It will cost between $400-$500 to repair (GM is aware of the problem). The dealer says that it is not a safety issue, but it seems like non-functioning lights, gauges and doors/windows would certainly be a safety issue. I do like to car, but this is a major problem -- one which I can ill afford to fix right now. We are just struggling to keep a roof over our heads!

- Lapeer, MI, USA

problem #8

Mar 102008

Aztek

  • 120,000 miles
I have a 2002 Pontiac Aztek I cannot drive, we believe the problem is the body control module. 3 mos. In shop, technician called Pontiac, dealerships, searched online trying to isolate the problem. I stumbled on www.edmunds.com, was stunned by the #'s of Azteks with this problem. The symptoms leading to failure of the BCM-back hatch won't open-key nor button. Eventually it begins working again, but the hatch pops open randomly while the car is in motion, the door locks start turning on and off, the air conditioner blows warm air, the fan won't work. All while the car is in motion. Also, the doors will not lock, the windows will not roll down. The check engine light alternately flashes with a security warning, the odometer quits working. When you turn the car off, all the lights stay on until the battery is drained. None of the dashboard controls work, the only way to turn the lights off and disengage the other electronics is to disconnect the battery. Taking it in for diagnostics produces no results, there is no reading from the computer that will tell a technician what the problem is. Having this failure is a safety issue, a child could open the back doors while the car is in motion, the inability to lock the car is a safety risk to all, the back hatch opening while in motion randomly is also a safety concern. Another issue with the Aztek is to open the back hatch with a key requires power to that particular lock, if the lock isn't getting power from the battery, it will not open. I think there are serious safety issues that Pontiac should take responsibility for. You can read the number of posts on the edmunds.com website...this is only one site, I am sure there are many others. There is a windshield wiper issue, they will quit working, get tangled during a heavy snow or rain storm.

- Tonawanda, NY, USA

problem #7

Apr 272008

Aztek 6-cyl

  • 51,008 miles
At 51,000 miles engine overheating when stopped at traffic lights. Added antifreeze, but did not fix the problem. At same time ac failed. Then electrical system started failing. Alarm going off for no reason, doors locking and unlocking themselves, rear hatch opening, and all gauges lighting up then going blank for 5 - 10 seconds. Took to dealer who stated that I had a failure in the intake manifold gasket, a leaking fuel filter, a shot ac system, and needed to replace the body control module. Dealer also stated that they have had to do the same work on many Azteks. Took to my regular mechanic for verification and repair ($600 less than dealer wanted). Paid $1156 for intake manifold, fuel filter, and ac check. Mechanic doesn't believe that there is anything wrong with the ac system, but the problem is related to the body control module. Can not fix the module at this time - have been given estimate of $800. Seems to me that this module is a safety issue and that NHTSA should issue a recall and have GM reimburse those that have already had the problem fixed. This issue has been brought up by many Aztek owners both on this site and others. It is really alarming to be driving at highway speeds when suddenly all the gauges go blank, even if just for a few seconds, not to mention doors locking and unlocking themselves and the alarm going off for no reason. By reading other complaints I should look forward to replacing wheel bearings also. Please look into this and do something about it.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #6

Apr 152008

Aztek

  • miles
Random electric issues where doors won't unlock, hatch won't open, security system goes off, radio goes into security mode. Dealer identified the body control module shorted. GM will not warranty.

- Granger, IN, USA

problem #5

May 022006

Aztek 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Service engine light on. Taken to Pontiac dealership, told it was the ECM (electronic control module) had gone bad. The ECM wiring harness plugs into a receptacle on the under carriage of the car (on drivers side, in between the front and rear seats), which is exposed to the weather elements and road debris. Corrosion caused the malfunction. No repair available. $934 repair cost to fix/replace entire ECM harness. I went to the Aztek owners website and saw several hundred complaints regarding this same item. Some complaints were about the ECM and the BCM (body control module). ECM supposedly controls all the electronics with the brain/computer of the vehicle. Since a car cannot be inspected with a service engine light on, I was forced to have it repaired$$. two days later, the AWD disable light has come on. The repair Agency stated the diagnostic reveals that the AWD is fully operational, and no way to reset the AWD light! also, the AWD disable light is not an extension of the recently repaired ECM (according to the repair facility), ironically, the ECM deals with all electronics!! maybe I need a good lawyer? the car performs adequately, but if I want to trade it or sell it some day, I am going to take a "hit" due to the AWD light being on. Your website shows no other recalls on this vehicle. I hope this information I type does some good someday. *additional note: Vehicle was not repaired at dealership, but was repaired by certified repair shop for $825.

- New Bern, NC, USA

problem #4

Jun 102006

Aztek 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,100 miles
Problem started after dealer repair & replacement of A/C compressor and condenser, lower intake gasket leak, & fuel pump replacement. The day after these repairs battery was found to be completely dead. After battery recharge, approx. A week or two later on switching from bright to dims all lights and accessories went off including headlights & dash lights within a few seconds all came back on and instrument cluster id lights as if ignition was turned off and back on again although engine remained running. Since then we have been to dealer 3 times for this repair since June 6, 2006 and have to return for yet a fourth time as it is still an ongoing problem. Dealer has replaced an ignition switch, multifunction switch and main module. Since this happens at random they say they are having problems tracking the problem.

- Hillsboro, IL, USA

problem #3

Apr 052004

Aztek 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Can not remember specific date 1.the change the oil lamp came on and vehicle was taken to dealership to change oil. Shortly thereafter we noticed the change the oil lamp would come on. The vehicle was taken back to hall in hampton roads and the lamp was turned off but the original chiming for signaling the door is locking ceased. When the vehicle was taken back to fix this error we were informed that Pontiac technicians could not fix and could not give any reason for this change. 2.a portable dvd player was hooked up to the vehicle from the plug in located between the two front seats and the tape attachment was inserted into the tape deck. The vehicle was running for about 1 to 1.5 hours with the portable dvd player when an error code and security code came on. The device was immediately disconnected from the vehicle. Thereafter the vehicle when turned off the radio would turn on by itself with out key in ignition, the gages although on full and vehicle running would not move, airbag icon would blink and chiming was dim. Upon taking vehicle to dealership it was found that the body control module went bad with no further explanation. 3.one week after getting vehicle from number 2 above the vehicleS battery worked but would not turn over and the plug in located in number 2 above were not working. It was found that the power tran control module and fuel sensor needed replacing and that a switch in the console area from number 2 above needed fixing.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #2

Jan 232004

Aztek 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Numerous problems concerning 2002 Pontiac Aztek. Brakes, wheel bearings, flywheel and tires.

- Corunna, MI, USA

problem #1

Jun 132003

(reported on)

Aztek

  • miles
Vehicle has electrical problems. Doors would not open and dashboard lights flickered on and off. Vehicle was taken to the dealer on 6/10/2003. Repairs were done to the body control module. On 6/11/2003 vehicle wouldn't start.

- Mechanicsville, MD, USA

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