Leaking Coolant, Intake Manifold Gasket Failure

8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,280
Average Mileage:
57,350 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace intake manifold gasket (3 reports)
2003 Pontiac Aztek cooling system problems

cooling system problem

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2003 Pontiac Aztek Owner Comments

problem #3

Jul 152011

Aztek LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

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

This really stinks. This vehicle only has 42,000 miles on it and the cost to fix it is around $2000. The value of the vehicle is only $4000, so I spent a lot of money on a vehicle when I bought this new, hoping it would last me until I didn't drive anymore. I, along with the other poor slobs that had this happen will not be buying another Pontiac, or any other GM car for that matter, since they all seem to have problems, unlike our foreign competitors like Toyota and Subaru. Add to that the most recent news broadcast about American workers getting drunk and high while on the job (and I'm sure GM is no different than Chrysler in that respect), and, well, I think you lost another customer.

- lorraineq, Oconomowoc, WI, US

problem #2

Jan 122008

Aztek

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

I bought this car in 2004. I drove mini vans for years because I had 4 kids. I knew I was not going to buy a Dodge, because both of our mini vans had multiple problems. I liked the Aztek because it was just the right size and it was different looking. I have about 4 more payments on it. I had no warning that anything was wrong. I went grocery shopping (2mi) from my home. I shopped for about 2hrs. I came out of the store, loaded my groceries, and started the car to go home. I got about 1/2 mi. from the grocery store and my temp. went from cold to hot. I pulled over immediately and shut it off. When we took the car to the GM dealer he told us what was wrong. Coolant leaking into a warped head gasket. $1300.00 to fix. More if the rods and/or bearings are damaged. Unbelievable. I was hoping to pay off the car & save to purchase a new one. Now, when I get it back I am getting rid of it. I know I will never buy another Pontiac. The GM dealer we took it to said this is common with this motor. American Auto workers, you wonder why people buy foriegn made cars. We always tried to buy American, but I will definitely be looking at imports. American Auto designers &makers, you need to get your crap together & stop selling the American public the garbage you put out. You watched foreign competition gain an edge over you for years and rightly so. You should learn from their workmanship and the warranties they offer. Shame on you for taking the American public for granted. Your workers are losing their jobs because of your corporate greed and the need to sell an inferior product with a small amount of warranty to back it up. When the American public has to buy a car by taking out a six year loan and the car does not last until after the loan is paid off, maybe you should be in another business. American cars lose their value, foreign cars maintain a higher resell value. What don't you understand! Irene Zubach

- Irene Z., Mt. Pleasant, PA, US

problem #1

Sep 272007

(reported on)

Aztek 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

Irritating to know an "expensive to fix" problem is common at such a low level of mileage.

- William P., Chicago, IL, US

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