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Mine is a 2001 Pontiac Aztek with 27,000 miles on it. Just out of warranty. I took it in to a third party mechanic because the air conditioner quit cooling. You guessed it, the condenser is cracked. The mechanic said there is a technical bulletin out on it and a new bracket design. He suggested I take it back to the dealer.
I contacted the dealer and they said to bring it in and they would work out a deal with me. Since they didn't say what kind of a deal I was wanting to know the telephone number to call GM about this.
I will say that I have enjoyed my Aztek and use it all the time (the mileage doesn't give the whole story). But I find it hard to believe we are all having the same problem on a car that is still relatively new.
This is just a follow to my post yesterday and a question for all other Aztek owners. First, the dealer has agreed to install a new condenser and bracket for $250.00. Given that I have heard anything from $770 to $1000 for this fix, I think I'm satisfied with it. I do have a copy of the technical bulletin for this defect.
Also, my Aztek has tilt steering. I have noticed that when I tilt my steering wheel up, after parking my car, and turn off the car I can't remove the key! This can be solved by just tilting the steering wheel back down and then removing the key. Anyone else have this problem? I would look into getting it fixed but I'm out of the warranty and the car is running fine.
Yours is the first post I recall that involved a sticky key with a tilting steering wheel that tilting the wheel fixes.
Nice to hear about the price break on your A/C repair.
Steve, Host
What state are you in? That's a pretty good deal on your ac/ condenser. Maybe that's a price I can get close to.
Kori
~Helen
Let me know if you come up with something. You can definitely have my signature if you need it. GM's attention to the problems with the Aztek is just plain irresponsible and they wonder why they're in trouble. I'ts laughable! They should get ready for an even bigger decrease in car sales, when all the Aztek owners take their business elsewhere. The quality of their cars is pathetic. :mad:
I have a 2003 Aztek which I purchased new in August 2003. Since that time, I have had (3) hub assemblies replaced due to problems with the wheel bearings. Tomorrow, it goes into the shop to have the fourth one replaced.
After the 3rd one was replaced, we contacted GM since our warranty was about to expire. At that time, they told us that if the 4th one went bad, they would stand behind it even though the car was no longer under warrantly.
Well, lo and behold, the 4th has gone bad and after several telephone calls and much "lemon law" threating, GM has decided to go ahead and pay to have the 4th hub assembly taken care of.
I certainly know what you are going through and it is very discouraging to be having this many problems with a new vehicle.
Good luck!
Help me please....new owner.... :confuse:
I am having a few issues with it swaying side to side that i just cant figure out . Also the engine noise.....
My guess is that the condenser has lasted about half what one could expect as a *minimum* reasonable lifetime (barring some external event, such as a being struck by road debris).
I have 3 other vehicles, and here are their stats:
1988 Mercedes 190E (200K miles): condenser still fine (has had 4 charges in its lifespan).
1998 Ford Escort (150K miles): condenser still fine (still has original coolant charge, and blows ice cold ! - this car has been awesome all round !)
2004 Kia (15K miles) too new to comment on.
I don't want to rag on my Aztek itself, since it has had only 2 problems so far (this and the computer - which was fixed on warranty), and gets excellent mileage for the class of vehicle, but GM is proving quite underwhelming in customer support thus far.
I'm not expecting them to fix it for free (I have had 3.5 years use out of it), but taking so long (after they know that my problem is *the* problem) to tell me what they are going to do for me (in the middle of a very hot summer) is outrageous.
I have the same condenser problem on my 2001 Aztek, and the dealer says they can find no technical bulletin and says they haven't seen any pattern of problems. Can you please email me a copy of the tech bulletin to dcarriger@mn.rr.com?
THANK YOU!!
Dan Carriger
how is your wheels? The dealer told me that my wheels are bad and have to replace them at $600.00 ea.
The Dealer and GM said that the Bearings had nothing to do with it. :mad:
It is funny that we had no problem with the wheels till the the bearings went bad.
We have a 2004 Aztek. anyone out there have the same problem?
Thanks for your time.
~Helen
However, the A/C condenser (under the dash, passenger side) or whatever went out and I had it replaced by the dealer. I had never used the A/C prior so I can't say if it did the same thing or not. Anyway, the A/C gets cold and works fine and all, but every so often, rarely really, vapor starts coming out of the vents. It's odorless so I'm guessing it's water vapor. It's only done this twice while the A/C was "on", but several times AFTER I turned the A/C off but kept the fan on. I've never had another car do this. Anything to worry about? Anyone know what's going on? Something that needs addressing? Thanks for your help!
I have a 2001 Aztek, and my air conditioning is not working. Barely used the damn thing, (5 or 6 times) so I don't know why it is not working. I called GM and they said they are not aware of any problems with the AC system.
How can I get a copy of the technical bulletin about this problem?
I have read a lot about Aztek wheel bearing problems thru this forum. My 2002 Aztek (with ~60k miles) is making a grinding noise; sounds like it is coming from the rear of the car. The sound only occurs when the car is moving. Exact location is hard to pinpoint. I would appreciate it if someone could describe the symptoms because I'm guessing I have the same problem.
However, the A/C condenser (under the dash, passenger side), if I remember correctly, went out and I had it replaced by the dealer. I had never used the A/C prior so I can't say if it did the same thing or not, but, every so often, rarely really, vapor starts coming out of the vents. It's odorless so I'm guessing it's water vapor. It's only done this twice while the A/C was on and only after having been on for an hour or two, but several times AFTER I turned the A/C off but kept the fan on. I've never had another car do this. Anything to worry about? Anyone know what's going on? Something that needs addressing? Your help is appreciated.
I was looking at after market wheels for $500 I can get 4 wheels.
I had a problem with my right hub bearing. It was making a grinding noise and it also made my front tires wheels wear out on the sides. The tech told whatever side the bearing is bad on it will pull to that direction like it out of line. Which my 01 Tek did also. The wheel wore out so bad because of the bad bearing, that when I would turn a corner it sounded like I was burning rubber even a very slow speeds. You should definitely get them checked out. Hope this helps you
Any update as to if the new fuel filter fixed your problem. I'm having the same issue with my 2001 Aztek and i've taken it to two GM garages and they can't find the problem. Even after I've reproduced the issue for them.
Thanks for any update.
Steve, Host
It does sound like BCM issue, more so with lights being wierd. Perhaps some connection to BCM is just getting loose or corroded
Quality conrtol is their responsibility. They pay for it and so do you.
tidester, host
Anyway, the vapor is normal - I have it too. In the past I have seen it in other cars, but I must say the Aztek has the most. I usually get vapor if I shut the a/c off but leave the fan on low.
Thanks
While I am driving, my needles will drop, the raido will cut out, and my head lights will go out. Then like a split second later needles will come back up, radio back on, and then all my dash light will flash, and in the DIC my battery light will flash. I did purchase a new battery, had my alternator tested and it is fine. I am at a loss here as to what is wrong.
Anyone else have this problem? I am taking it to the dealership to be looked at but they can't get to it till next week. Any help is GREATLY apperciated!
Good Luck
Ang