WHEN THE RADIO IS TURNED ON AN EXTREMELY LOUD SCREECHING SOUND IS HEARD. THE NOISE CONTINUES EVEN AFTER THE KEY IS TURNED OFF. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL CRACKLING SOUND IN THE DASH AND WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED THERE IS A LOUD CRACKLING SOUND. NO GAUGES WORK CORRECTLY. THEY EITHER PEG OUT OR OPERATE OUT OF THE EXPECTED RANGE OF OPERATION. THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES OFF AND ON. THE AWD LIGHT IS ON AL…
2005 Pontiac Aztek electrical problems
moderate 9 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
AT 147,000 MILES THE KEY REFUSED TO TURN BACK INTO THE OFF POSITION. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING.
GAUGES ARE INTERMITTENT ON 2005 PONTIAC AZTEK. YOU CAN TURN IGNITION SWITCH ON & OFF TO RESET THEM. SOMETIMES IT WORKS,SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF NOR WOULD THE KEY RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THREE TIMES WHERE THE IGNITION RELAY WAS REPLACED EACH TIME. THE FAILURE RECENTLY RECURRED AND THE COIL WIRE WAS DISCONNECTED IN ORDER TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAI…
I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 PONTIAC AZTEK ON JULY 1, 2005. SEVEN DAYS LATER, WITH 611 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD. I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, TURN ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS, OR EVEN REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED, THE DRIVER JIGGLED THE WIRES LEADING TO THE BATTERY. ALTHOUGH HE SAID THEY DIDN'T FEEL LOOSE, THE VEHICLE DID S…
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE POWER AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED AND THE IGNITION RELAY WAS REPLACED IN DECEMBER. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SINCE AUGUST 19TH, 2005. SEVERAL ADDITIONAL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM PERSIST. IN MAY A FLIGHT RECORDER WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALE…
KEY BECAME LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. COULD NOT TURN THE CAR OFF NOR REMOVE KEY. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE AND PLACED ME IN A LOANER. HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO CORRECT. VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS RELATED TO THIS. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT CHARGED AS THIS WAS THE 4TH TIME I HAD TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE IN MY FIRST 30 DAYS OF OWNERSHIP. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2005 Pontiac Aztek?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 9 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.