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2006 Pontiac Torrent

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

209 reports with mileage · 31 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports10 fire reports11 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

63 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 9, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fire

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 WA…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11206455

113,000 miles · Nov 14, 2018
Electrical System

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

NHTSA ODI #11151601

112,000 miles · Jun 14, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

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. T…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11101838

97,365 miles · Nov 21, 2016
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

HEATING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, SOMETIMES HEAT ONLY BLOWS COOL AIR, MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGES THIS IS A DEFECT BUT ONLY ISSUED A LIMITED SPECIAL COVERAGE. THE SPECIAL COVERAGE EXPIRED IN FEB 2016, MY VEHICLE HEATING UNIT BROKE IN OCT 2016! THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THIS DEFECT! LISA OF HEATING UNIT CAU…

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HEATING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, SOMETIMES HEAT ONLY BLOWS COOL AIR, MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGES THIS IS A DEFECT BUT ONLY ISSUED A LIMITED SPECIAL COVERAGE. THE SPECIAL COVERAGE EXPIRED IN FEB 2016, MY VEHICLE HEATING UNIT BROKE IN OCT 2016! THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THIS DEFECT! LISA OF HEATING UNIT CAUSES UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS WHEN WINDOWS CAN NOT DEFROST AS A RESULT OF DEFECT, ALSO OCCUPANTS FREEZE THEIR ASSES OFF IN THE WINTER! UNCONSCIONABLE THAT GM WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT!

NHTSA ODI #10927348

102,000 miles · Nov 4, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

A NUMBER OF UNUSUAL ISSUES HAVE PLAGUED US WITH THIS CAR! THE KEYS SLIDE OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE CAR IS STILL RUNNING. AT RANDOM TIMES, THE ENGINE WILL REV, BUT THE CAR WILL BARELY MOVE UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY STOPS. EVEN THEN IT WILL TURN ON AND THE ENGINE WILL RUN, BUT IT WON'T MOVE. AT OTHER TIMES, THE ELECTRICAL SHUTS DOWN AND…

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A NUMBER OF UNUSUAL ISSUES HAVE PLAGUED US WITH THIS CAR! THE KEYS SLIDE OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE CAR IS STILL RUNNING. AT RANDOM TIMES, THE ENGINE WILL REV, BUT THE CAR WILL BARELY MOVE UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY STOPS. EVEN THEN IT WILL TURN ON AND THE ENGINE WILL RUN, BUT IT WON'T MOVE. AT OTHER TIMES, THE ELECTRICAL SHUTS DOWN AND THERE IS NO POWER AT ALL, NO LIGHTS OR SOUNDS. WE'VE REPLACED THE BATTERY (A VERY EXPENSIVE ONE AT THAT) TWICE, AS WHATEVER IS HAPPENING DRAINS IT. THE CAR THROWS CODES THAT MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PASS INSPECTION. THESE INCLUDE: E-VAP, THROTTLE BODY, ASSORTED SENSORS, BREAK PEDAL, GAS CAP, HEAT/AC MOTOR, AND SO ON. WE HAVE REPLACED AND/OR REPAIRED EVERYTHING ON THE CODE LIST AND STILL, IT WON'T CLEAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ABS, AND TREAD LIGHT REMAIN ON NO MATTER WHAT WE DO. WE WERE ADVISED TO KEEP DRIVING IT UNTIL THE COMPUTER CLEARED THE CODES TO "READY", BUT IT'S NOT WORKING. RECENTLY, WHITE WISPS OF SMOKE WERE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, ALONG WITH A BURNING SMELL. THE CAR JUST DIED AND REFUSED TO START. WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. THESE ARE THINGS THAT SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING WITH NORMAL MAINTENANCE AND DRIVING. WE'VE ALSO BEEN TOLD BY MECHANICS THAT THEY ARE DANGEROUS ISSUES, INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE WHILE DRIVING, AND FAILURES THAT CAUSE WRECKS. THEY CANNOT EXPLAIN WHY THEY ARE OCCURRING, ESPECIALLY AFTER REPAIR. ONE PERSON SAID WE PROBABLY MADE SOME REPAIRS THAT WERE UNNECESSARY, BUT WE NEEDED THE CAR TO PASS REQUIRED INSPECTION. WE ARE SINKING TOO MUCH MONEY INTO THIS VEHICLE TO KEEP IT RUNNING AND CANNOT AFFORD A NEW PAYMENT AS THIS ONE IS PURCHASED IN FULL. WE ARE DISABLED, NEEDING DEPENDABLE TRANSPORTATION FOR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AND DAILY ERRANDS. WHY AREN'T THERE RECALLS? THIS MODEL IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND FORUMS FOR THESE FAULTY CODES & ISSUES! INCREDIBLY IRRESPONSIBLE OF THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10924191

135,000 miles · Apr 25, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT FAILED TO TURN OFF WITH THE KEY IN THE OFF POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT FAILED TO TURN OFF WITH THE KEY IN THE OFF POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE KEYS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE KEYS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10861309

156,000 miles · Mar 15, 2016
Electrical System

MY IGNITION SWITCH MOVES OUT OF THE "RUN" POSITION, RESULTING IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK BUT RUNNING. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE THE SPEED IS 45 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CAR TURNS OFF. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ON THE KEY, INCLUDING THE FOB. I EVEN EXPE…

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MY IGNITION SWITCH MOVES OUT OF THE "RUN" POSITION, RESULTING IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK BUT RUNNING. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE THE SPEED IS 45 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CAR TURNS OFF. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ON THE KEY, INCLUDING THE FOB. I EVEN EXPERIENCED THE ENGINE TURNING OFF WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED BUT RUNNING. THE DEALER ADMITS TO A RECALL ON ANOTHER MODEL OF PONTIAC DURING THE SAME YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10849811

78,100 miles · Feb 12, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FAILED TO WORK IN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FAILED TO WORK IN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,100.

NHTSA ODI #10825888

113,000 miles · Dec 18, 2015
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH OR ABOVE, THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT SUSPENSION BEGAN TO VIBRATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS INTENDED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH OR ABOVE, THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT SUSPENSION BEGAN TO VIBRATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS INTENDED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONTROLS THE WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS, AND SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #10811182

173,000 miles · Sep 29, 2015
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAT AND DEFROSTER IN MY CAR. IT DOES NOT WORK, AND THUS CAUSES MAJOR VISIBILITY PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE WINDOWS CANNOT DEFROST. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, WHICH, IF LEFT UNREPAIRED, COULD CAUSE A WRECK. I TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER, AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A BROKEN TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR. I'VE DONE SO…

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I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAT AND DEFROSTER IN MY CAR. IT DOES NOT WORK, AND THUS CAUSES MAJOR VISIBILITY PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE WINDOWS CANNOT DEFROST. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, WHICH, IF LEFT UNREPAIRED, COULD CAUSE A WRECK. I TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER, AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS A BROKEN TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE, SINCE IT IS QUITE COSTLY (ABOUT $1100) TO REPAIR. I FOUND THAT GM HAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED THIS FREE OF CHARGE TO THE OWNERS BECAUSE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT (SPECIAL COVERAGE/POLICY ADJUSTMENT 11135). THE ACTUATOR HAD BEEN DESIGNED POORLY, USING PLASTIC INSTEAD OF METAL. THIS CAUSES THE PLASTIC TO BREAK WHEN THE ACTUATOR OVER-ROTATES. THIS PROBLEM VIOLATES THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 103, WHICH STATES THE STANDARDS OF HAVING A WORKING HEATER AND DEFOGGING/DEFROSTING SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM IS MENTIONED IN 87 OF THE 198 COMPLAINTS FOR THE 06 PONTIAC TORRENT, AND HAS A TSB #10044379. WITH A SEVEN-YEAR COMPLAINT HISTORY, I WOULD EXPECT THE COMPANY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I CONTACTED GM WITH THIS INFORMATION AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT ME IN 1 BUSINESS DAY. IT HAS BEEN OVER 5 DAYS NOW AND NO WORD FROM THEM. ALL I WANT IS FOR THIS TO BE FIXED/COVERED BY GM BECAUSE IT IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE (I.E. I CANNOT AFFORD IT EVEN THOUGH IT'S HAZARDOUS). I WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE SAFELY AND WITH FULL VISIBILITY!

NHTSA ODI #10778599

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.