2002 Pontiac Aztek Consumer Reviews

Bad experience

Written by: not happy on 06/11/2008

Vehicle

2002 Pontiac Aztek AWD 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Bought used with about 60k miles, at 63k all the problems began with the check engine light. GM said it was the ECM, electronic control module. It resembles a long cable (wrapped in black plastic) that is underneath the car and plugs into a socket like thing on the undercarriage. Very exposed to the road elements! GM wanted $1100 for the part & another $900 to install. I paid, and the engine light still stayed on. GM tried to say it was not the ECM after I paid $2,000! I took it back to the Dealer prior to any of this, that was a hoot. That is another story. I could not get the car inspected, so traded it recently, took a beating and learned a lesson, run away from Pontiac Cars!

Favorite Features

Car design, comfort for a 6ft.6inch tall guy, gas mileage, room for storage, easy to park.

Suggested Improvements

Not made to tow a small boat even with the awd. Electronic Control module!! Car has been cleverly remade as a Torrent, hope they corrected the ECM.

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Not worth your money

Written by: Shannon1283 on 04/19/2008

Vehicle

2002 Pontiac Aztek AWD 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I first bought my AWD Sports Aztek because of 2 friends owning one. I took a ride in it and fell in love. 2 days later, I went and bought one. As ugly as it is, my Aztek is super sporty with a lot of features most don't have. However, I have had nothing but problems with it (My 2 friends sold theirs a year later and later found out it was documented a "lemon"). I have 72,000 miles on it right now. I have replaced both front rotors twice, brakes twice, windshield always leaks,gas mileage is horrible.I fill up every 4 to 5 days (I only drive about 30 miles every day). Rear latch always sticks, tires wear out easily, now the car is shaking and a bad grinding noise which is affecting driving

Favorite Features

Tinted windows, built in cooler, rear radio controls at the tailgate, 6 disc cd changer, lots of room and extra storage!!! Sunroof, information center, heads-up display is super nice , air compressor in the back, cargo slide out tray, handle, AWD, heated seats, fold down seats, controls on steering

Suggested Improvements

Better gas mileage, cover for the gas tank, tailgate always sticks, fix all the blind spots, the high beam lights don't work as well as the low beam, more reliable parts. It gets very expensive replacing everything nearly at every 12,000 miles.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Garbage In Garbage Out

Written by: simpleaztek on 04/08/2008

Vehicle

2002 Pontiac Aztek Fwd 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Words of Wisdom - once the Aztek is over 3 years old or 50,000 miles it will deteriorate into a money pit. We absolutely loved ours until about eight months ago. Front passenger wheel bearing went, then the intake manifold leaked (yes, I know about the DexCool settlement) and then we had a cracked head gasket. Over $3k into the car in the past six months and its only 5 1/2 years old and with only 60,000 miles on it. Here I come Honda! Never a GM car again for me.

Favorite Features

Quiet, smooth ride.

Suggested Improvements

Reliability, reliability, reliability!

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Off the Beaten Path.

Written by: Krovas on 03/02/2008

Vehicle

2002 Pontiac Aztek AWD 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Have had my '02 Aztek for a few months. Purchased at 54k for $8000 even. A few initial repair issues (wheel hubs/bearings) that the dealer took care of. Decent mileage overall for a vehicle of this kind, but truly excellent on the highway. Possibly the most comfortable SUV ever made; a four hour drive feels like a ten minute trip to the supermarket. Interior design more than makes up for funky exterior styling. Somewhat irritating hatch release mechanism. Sufficient power for itself, but I probably wouldn't try towing anything with it. AWD performance is terrific. Overall, it's looks aren't the Aztek's only eccentricity, but I'll bet you'll forget all about them if you drive one.

Favorite Features

Cool (but practical) TIE-fighter-cockpit-like interior. AWD competency. Amazingly tight turning radius. Attention-grabbing exterior that grows on you.

Suggested Improvements

If they were still being built, I'd say give the Aztek more horses and clean up the rear hatch design.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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I will never buy a GM again

Written by: eebrando on 01/17/2008

Vehicle

2002 Pontiac Aztek Fwd 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Well, I thought I had made a pretty good deal at the time of purchase but when you add up all I have spent in repairs (transmission, a/c (had only 48k miles at the time), traction system) I am driving a $30k PONTIAC. I hate cars.

Favorite Features

Camping package

Suggested Improvements

Make the damn thing to WORK as opposed to break down at every mileage interval

0 out 3 people found this review helpful

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So Far so good!

Written by: Robert on 01/03/2008

Vehicle

2002 Pontiac Aztek AWD 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I was searching for a family car just after our 2nd child, weighing heavily on utility. We were going to be making a lot of long distance trips because my wife's family is from all over the USA. Overall we have been delighted with the amount trunk space that is in this car. Very happy with the comfort level when traveling over 2k miles one-way. Love the leather with kids, and heated for mommy and I. Out west in states with higher speed limits we found the biggest weakness, not enough horsepower. It'll hold 70 to 75 with no problem, try 80 even on the flat, in and out of overdrive. So, we slowed down and maxed out the fuel milage 21 mpg could be better. Overall nice crossover!

Favorite Features

Heads up in the windshield, moonroof, leather, trunk space, looks different, awesome all-wheel drive for snow & rain. The ole girl has 100k on her now and the few small problems were covered under warranty. So far so good!

Suggested Improvements

Rear hatch in winter, tailgate kind of combersome to get over to get that one item that slid to the back seat.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Better than you think

Written by: mike on 08/01/2007

Vehicle

2002 Pontiac Aztek Fwd 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I bouth this car in '04. Used to sell them, and I was always a fan. Killer motor after you replace the head and intake gaskets(warranty) Front wheel bearings after 90k. Otherwise, it's been a great car. 22-28 mpg with a K and N filter and has good power. Tons of room and a killer interior. Rear seats fold up or pull out, and even recline. The console cooler is the best! So is the stereo! Have 115k on it now and it runs perfect! Understeers in snow, but once you learn to drive it, it will go most anywhere with good tires. Buy this car used and it will not let you down.

Favorite Features

Very practical and sporty interior. Everybody always compliments it. Steering wheel audio controls. Removable console cooler! Faster than it looks.

Suggested Improvements

Rear hatch rattles and sticks on occasion. Take the remote with you and open it from outside. Too late to improve this model, but GM has other new cars built on this platform with the needed improvements. Plastic body cladding fragile in the cold.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Love This Truck

Written by: JT on 07/29/2007

Vehicle

2002 Pontiac Aztek Fwd 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I cannot say enough good things about this vehicle. My wife normally doesn't care about a vehicle as long as it runs. She saw a used one at the dealership and loved it and she wouldn't look at anything else afterwards. Hard time finding them but we love it and wouldn't give it up. Gets better gas mileage then my 2003 Ford Taurus SES and both have a 6 cyclinder. Roomy and lots of comfort. Love the split seats and how easy the old up and / or come out completely. A lot easier then removing a bench seat from the mini van. Just can't say enough about this vehicle. Thought about getting a second one for me but don't want two of the same vehicle. Too bad Pontiac discountinued it.

Favorite Features

Love almost everything about it, roof rack, easy of adjusting bars, cargo space, passenger room and comfort in front and back seat.

Suggested Improvements

Only suggestions would be to add a rear window wiper to clean debris but have been pleased with it self cleaning itself. My suggestions to Pontiac is to bring back the Aztek.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Love my Aztek

Written by: gramhar73 on 05/29/2006

Vehicle

2002 Pontiac Aztek AWD 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Didn't like this car at first glance, but glad i gave the inside a look. The drive is smooth and the interior is beyond spacious. The back seat can comfortably hold 2 car seats and a large adult - and there is plenty of room for EVERYTHING that you need to bring.

Favorite Features

The spacious and comfortable interior. This car handles better than a sedan and smoother than an SUV.

Suggested Improvements

The only complaint i have is in regards to the rear latch. It sometimes sticks and you have to release it several times to open it. A small price to pay for the most comfortable vehicle i've ever owned.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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So UGLY-it's CUTE

Written by: dogd923 on 03/13/2006

Vehicle

2002 Pontiac Aztek AWD 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 4A)

Review

Just bought this '02 Aztek,and I love it.The dealer gave me a great deal on it, since he thought it was so ugly, he didn't want it on his lot. It is roomy, and very easy to drive. Plenty of cargo/storage area, and the rear seats lift out like a mini-van.This is very helpful for moving large objects, or transporting a huge dog, as I do.A very versatile, and unusual vehicle. The AWD version (which I own) gives you the SUV you need-I live in CT-plus minivan type room-all wrapped up in a unique package.

Favorite Features

The roominess.Big inside,seats in back lift out easily-when needed.Drives,and shifts very nicely.Easy to park,goes well in snow-a neccesity in the Northeast!Plus it looks like nothing else on the road-not many unique vehicles around these days-drive an Aztek-people will recognize it

Suggested Improvements

Just two complaints-first,that rear spoiler really hinders your vision out the back window.Secondly,the hatch should have a button,or handle to open it.To access the hatch,you have to turn the key once,lift,then turn it again.Very confusing-took me a LONG time to figure out how to open it.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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