2002 Pontiac Aztek Review

LOVE HATE RELATIONSHIP

Written by: Joe on 06/16/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

I love my aztek for its practicality and verstility. There s tons of room for my kids, dog and gear. Unfortunatley its got reliability issues. All the wheel bearing have been replaced, computers have failed. Versatrak rear differential was replaced for $6000. Head gasket leaked. Whats next? I m torn because I like the car so much but I m scared of whats going to break next. My next car is definately not going to be a GM.

Favorite Features

Roomy, versatile, good driving characteristics for a vehicle of this size.

Suggested Improvements

Better transmissions and rear differentials. Wheel bearings that last more than 2 years. Head gaskets that dont leak etc etc. What more can I say.

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Great Car - Fun to Drive

Written by: talia5307 on 05/10/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

I bought my Aztek almost 7 years ago and have never regretted it. It now has 98000 miles on it and has only ever needed minor repairs (brakes, etc). I love that nothing else on the road looks like it, this is not your cookie cutter car for your cookie cutter neighborhood. The ride is smooth, quiet and comfortable and the car handles well in my northern Illinois winters even with just FWD. My only complaints are that the back seats don't fold flat, but not many 2002 vehicles do. Also, the bottom of the back window is totally flat, which leaves it almost always dirty.

Favorite Features

Exterior styling, great stereo, cooler in front seat, lots of cargo room,

Suggested Improvements

Fix somewhat large blind spots, better hatch release, larger wheels

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My Aztec

Written by: Hofmanms on 04/03/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

I bought this used from a private seller. Within about 4 months the BCM quit while driving to a wedding 300 miles away. Luckily this only affected electronics and I was able to continue with little more than inconvenience. Had the BCM replaced by the dealer for about 500. I dont think the A/C ever worked but I hear its a 1000 dollar fix so I wont. Despite these problems I love the car. It can handle snow better than any car I have seen and I live in upstate NY so I see real snow. I get a lot of compliments and you cant beat the tent option with the cooler. Very Happy with the Aztec

Favorite Features

Great factory stereo, Beautiful in bad weather, decent gas mileage, Enough space for 5 people with 5 snowboards and snow equipment, Awesome for camping.

Suggested Improvements

Quality of parts are questionable specifically BCM and A/C

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We call it the "crapteck"

Written by: aztec hater on 12/11/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

Loved the car at first! Very comfortable and roomy--fits 4 and a dog very comfortably. Was very excited to get our first SUV and loved it for about a year. The air conditioner died at about 17k, the head gasket at 30K, the hatch never opens, anti theft system locked up for no reason & cost about $500 to replace. Head gasket again at 120K. I have a $50,000 car after all of the repairs that have been made on it--wise to quit producing this vehicle.

Favorite Features

Camping package, towing package

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Love-d It!

Written by: Cathy on 09/25/2008

Vehicle

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

Review

Bought it new and liked its uniqueness. Yellow is easy to spot in the Wal-Mart parking lot! Very comfy for tall people and all seats recline for long trips. Interior is durable,everything in the right place. Most room for a mid-size SUV--I put several large trees and numerous plants in this thing! If they made them again, I'd buy one. Mine was 2WD and handled very well in snow/ice. The only reason I don't have one now is because a tornado destroyed it! had over 144K and ran great.

Favorite Features

Killer stereo and surround sound, roomy and good gas mileage. Reclining seats all around and back seat area large enough for tall teens. Loved the tailgate and functionality. The sliding trunk tray/junk holder was used and abused. I miss all those handy compartments:)

Suggested Improvements

Recall letters were sent AFTER I was past the mileage EVERY time--wheel bearings first, then all the other problems everyone else has had with the Aztek. If they make 'em again, use green coolant, no orange stuff that ruins them. Fix hatch, use good tires-mine wore out at 9,000 mi.

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