2006 Pontiac Torrent

Above average

Owners filed 240 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
80,000 milesMedian miles at failure

209 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System36
122
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System31
000
Visibility21
000
Steering20
000
Engine17
020
Service Brakes11
000
Engine and Engine Cooling9
000
Visibility/Wiper8
000
Seats8
023
Vehicle Speed Control7
110

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Sep 27, 2021111,500 milesMA

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed to operate as designed, the brakes seized, and the vehicle lost motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact poured water onto the onboard computer, located on top of the engine to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic installed a new onboard computer however, the new onboard computer failed to operate without the service code required. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be serviced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,500. The VIN was unavailable.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 17, 2019130,000 milesAL

THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY POWERS DOWN COMPLETELY LOOSING STEERING, BRAKING, ACCELERATION, EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND LIGHTS, NO MATTER HOW FAST OR SLOW OR LOCATION. NO RHYME OR REASON TO THE SPORADIC COMPLETE SHUT DOWN AND DOESN'T START BACK IMMEDIATELY AND SOMETIMES MINUTES TO HOURS BEFORE IT WILL. NOT SAFE IN THE HIGHWAY OR SIDE ROADS OR ANYWHERE. THERE IS A FAULT WITH THE PROGRAMMING IN THE ECU AND GM IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN REPAIR IT. VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED AND I SPENT JUST AS MUCH AS THE PURCHASE SINCE REPLACING PARTS! IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED IF YOU GOOGLE SEARCH THE YEAR MAKE AND MODEL WITH DYING WHEN DRIVING OR SIMILAR IT'S CLEARLY SOMETHING WITH MOST OF THESE VEHICLES UNFORTUNATELY! SCARY AND UNSAFE FOR EVERYONE ON THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY AFTER DARK WHEN IT HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING TO ALERT OTHERS, PLEASE HELP THIS VEHICLE WILL DIE WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR INTERSTATE AT HIGH SPEED OR LOW SPEED WHEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATING OR SITTING AT A RED LIGHT! I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED AND IT STILL HAPPENS AND THE REPAIR SHOP NOW IS STILL WAITING FOR GM TO REWRITE OR CHANGE THE PROGRAMMING TO HOPEFULLY FIX THE ISSUES BUT THIS IS UNBELIEVABLY DANGEROUS AND CAN BE DEADLY

Suspension
Filed May 10, 2019145,000 milesOH

WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, MY CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN I WOULD HIT A BUMP OR WHEN I WOULD PRESS ON THE BRAKES. THE KNOCKING WAS COMING FROM SOMEWHERE UNDER THE CAR IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY (VERY TRUSTWORTHY) MECHANIC TODAY AND HE SAID THE AXLE BODY OF THE CAR WAS RUSTED AWAY AND THAT'S WHAT HOLDS THE SUSPENSION IN PLACE. THIS IS A VERY UNUSUAL SITUATION THAT YOU DON'T USUALLY SEE, AND IS NOT FIXABLE. I WAS DRIVING ON WELL-PAVED STREETS AT A LOW SPEED (NO MORE THAN 35MPH).

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fire
Filed May 9, 2019MI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES INADVERTENTLY DISENGAGED WHILE IN USE AS SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND FLAMES WERE SEEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED AS THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE RAIN. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 22, 2019130,000 milesUT

WHILE DRIVING AND STOPPING MY BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND THE ABS AND TC CONTROL LIGHTS TURN ON THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES

Electrical System
Filed Nov 14, 2018113,000 milesNC

THE HEAT DOESN'T WORK IN CAR FREEZING COLD IN CAR

Engine
Filed Sep 11, 201880,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS UNKNOWN NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10573465. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 8, 2018144,879 milesNY

THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET WHEN IT BROKE

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Jul 3, 201893,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE. IN ADDITION, A BURNING ODOR WAS EMITTED THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FRONT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Jun 27, 201865,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE HEATER FAILED TO PRODUCE HOT AIR AND THE WINDOWS FAILED TO DEFROST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATER BLEND DOOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (LANCE BUICK GMC, 2 CHAUNCY ST, MANSFIELD, MA) WERE BOTH NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILALBLE.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 14, 2018112,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE ABNORMAL NOISE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Seats1 injured
Filed Feb 14, 2018150,000 milesMI

MY HEATED SEAT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH MY SEAT AND THROUGH MY SWEAT SHIRT AND ONTO MY SKIN BURNING ME. MY CAR WAS PARKED AND I WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT WAITING FOR IT TO WARM UP

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Jan 8, 2018194,152 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,152.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Dec 20, 2017180,000 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, COLD AIR BLEW FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE KEMP BLEND DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (WALSER BUICK GMC OF BLOOMINGTON, 4601 AMERICAN BLVD WEST, BLOOMINGTON, MN 55437) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8-3687100903. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 12, 2017WI

I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW. THE ENTIRE YEAR I HAVE HAD THIS CRAPPY VEHICLE IT HAS DONE THIS. EVERY TIME I APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BREAKS IT PULSATES BACK AT ME AND MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO A FEW DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY ALL SAID IT WAS THE ABS SENSOR IN THE WHEEL HUB. SO I REPLACED THE WHEEL HUBS AND THAT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. IT STILL PULSATES AND GRINDS EVERY TIME I STOP. THE BREAK LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATE AFTER THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND VERY DANGEROUS. I LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND WITH THE SNOW AND ICE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVE A KIDS WHO I DRIVE AROUND IN THIS VEHICLE!! GM NEEDS TO RECALL THIS!

Engine
Filed Oct 6, 2017150,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT WHILE IDLING AND LEAKED COOLANT. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY ADD ANTIFREEZE/COOLANT TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FIVE YEARS AGO AND THE HEAT NEVER WORKED CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN; HOWEVER, THE WATER PUMP, BELTS, PULLEY, TEMPERATURE COOLING SENSOR, AND THERMOSTAT WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. AFTER THE REPAIR, WHEN THE HEAT WAS TURNED ON, AN ANTIFREEZE/COOLANT ODOR WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT COULD HEAR THE ENGINE FANS TURNING ON WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED OVERHEATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN OF 120,000 MILES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

Steering
Filed Aug 28, 201720 milesCO

POWER STEERING FAILURE WITHOUT PRIOR SYMPTOMS - POWER ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER BEING DRIVEN/PARKED/STARTED AND DRIVEN. WAS THEN PARKED/WAITED AND IT WORKED AGAIN(?) - OTHERS HAVE REPORTED FAILURE WHILE UNDERWAY. CONSIDER THIS NOTICE AS DATE-STAMPED FOR FUTURE LEGAL USE. PLEASE ADVISE ON NEXT STEPS/OPTIONS. HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2006/PONTIAC/TORRENT/STEERING/PROBLEM.ASPX

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 10, 2017140,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH PERRINE BUICK GMC (2730 US-130, CRANBURY, NJ 08512) FOR LATER IN THE WEEK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 4, 201765,000 milesNH

WHERE TO START AS IT WOULDN'T LET ME SELECT MORE THAN 3 OPTIONS. I BOUGHT MY TORRENT IN 06 WITH 65K MILES ON IT AND FIGURED THAT A 40K/ 4 YEAR WARRANTY WAS A GOOD IDEA. IT WAS!! IT ALL STARTED WHEN I TOOK IT TO A CAR WASH A WEEK AFTER BUYING IT, WELL I EXITED THE CAR WASH AND HAD NO THROTTLE WITH GAS PEDDLE, I WAS STUCK. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE TUBES THAT ALLOW THE SUN ROOF TO DRAIN WERE CLOGGED AND WATER BACKED UP AND TRAVELED DOWN THE LEFT FRONT PILLAR AND FRIED THE THROTTLE SENSOR. REPLACED IT AND ON I WENT. THESE TUBES BLOCKED UP 3 MORE TIMES IN A FEW YEARS ONLY FRYING IT ONE OTHER TIME. WITHIN THE FIRST 3 YEARS WITH LESS THAN 80K MILES EVERY HUB HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT PASSENGER TWICE, AND FRONT DRIVERS 3 TIMES. 2 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT AROUND 67K MILES THE DRIVE SHAFT BEARING NEEDED REPLACING. AROUND 76K MILES THE ENTIRE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AROUND 85K MILES THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FRONT A WORN BEARING THAT DESTROYED OTHER INTERNAL PARTS. AROUND 83K MILES THE FRONT LEFT BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE KNUCKLE MAY BE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM AS CHIPS OF MATERIAL WERE SEEN TO BE FALLING OFF BEHIND THE HUB. JUST LAST WEEK AT ONLY 101K MILES THE FRONT LEFT HUB WAS BAD AGAIN!! THAT MAKES 5 TIMES ON THAT ALONE. VARIOUS OTHER ISSUES INCLUDE MULTIPLE ABS SENSORS FAILING PREMATURELY MORE THAN ONCE. I GET ANNUAL ALIGNMENTS, BRAND NEW TIRES ANUALLY, HAVE REPLACED STRUTS AND SPRINGS AND WAS

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 13, 201794,500 milesMI

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE AT ABOUT 6MPH AT EVERY STOP, REGARDLESS OF ROAD CONDITIONS. NO WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD.

20 of 240 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2007
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200917000Routine
2008125020Routine
2007243430Above average
2006 — this page2400100Above average

Compare every Torrent year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.