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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

Engine complaints

29 reports
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111,500 miles · Sep 27, 2021
Engine

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 r…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11434556

130,000 miles · Sep 17, 2019
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #11256248

80,000 miles · Sep 11, 2018
Engine

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11128794

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

150,000 miles · Oct 6, 2017
Engine

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 MECH…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11032042

280,000 miles · Mar 7, 2017
Engine

MY CAR'S AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ONLY WORKS PART TIME. AFTER THE SYSTEM RUNS FOR A WHILE IT STOPS COOLING AND WARMS UP IN THE CABIN. SHUT OFF THE AIR FOR 5 MINUTES TURN IT BACK ON COOLS FINE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES THEN START THE PROCESS OVER. WORSE ON REALLY HOT DAYS. ALSO, HEATER HAS STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN…

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MY CAR'S AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ONLY WORKS PART TIME. AFTER THE SYSTEM RUNS FOR A WHILE IT STOPS COOLING AND WARMS UP IN THE CABIN. SHUT OFF THE AIR FOR 5 MINUTES TURN IT BACK ON COOLS FINE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES THEN START THE PROCESS OVER. WORSE ON REALLY HOT DAYS. ALSO, HEATER HAS STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN THE CAR IDLES, NO HEAT AND LITTLE HEAT WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING, WORSE ON VERY COLD DAYS. ALSO WE HAVE DEVELOPED A LEAK UNDER THE FRONT LEFT PART OF THE ENGINE THAT ONLY OCCURS AFTER THE ENGINE COOLS. DOES NOT LEAK WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING. COOLANT RESERVOIR HAS BEEN REPLACED, STILL HAS LEAK AFTER ENGINE COOLS.

NHTSA ODI #10959187

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

124,000 miles · Nov 11, 2015
Engine

MY VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT ON ME SO I STOPPED AND CHECKED THE COOLANT LEVELS. I TOP THE COOLANT LEVEL OFF AND CONTINUED ON MY TRIP (TEMP GAUGE BACK TO NORMAL). AS I GOT HOME THE CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT AGAIN AND I CHECKED ALL FLUID LEVELS BUT EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. I LET THE CAR SIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 AND THEN CONTINUED DR…

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MY VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT ON ME SO I STOPPED AND CHECKED THE COOLANT LEVELS. I TOP THE COOLANT LEVEL OFF AND CONTINUED ON MY TRIP (TEMP GAUGE BACK TO NORMAL). AS I GOT HOME THE CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT AGAIN AND I CHECKED ALL FLUID LEVELS BUT EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. I LET THE CAR SIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 AND THEN CONTINUED DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC AND HE CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT, BUT STILL HAVING SAME ISSUES. I NOTIFIED MY MECHANIC AND HE THEN RESEARCHED ALL RECALLS AND TSB OF MY VEHICLE. HE NOTIFIED ME STATING GM KNOWS OF A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THEIR HEADGASKETS AND THEY RECOMMEND USING BARS LEAKS IF A PROBLEM ARISES. I HAVE FOLLOWED THEIR RECOMMENDATION AND AM NOW LEFT WITHOUT A RUNNING VEHICLE. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GET A RECALL OUT ON THIS AS IT IS KNOWN WITH ALL GM VEHICLES WITH THIS MOTOR.

NHTSA ODI #10789789

95,541 miles · Jul 14, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System

ON DELIVERY OF 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT ON JULY 10, 2015, I EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GAS FUEL EMITTING WITHIN THE INTERIOR. I ALSO NOTICED AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP THE MOTOR BEGAN TO SOUND AS IF I WAS ESCALATING INTO THE ATMOSPHERE ON AN AIRPLANE TO 13000 FEET IN THE AIR. TH…

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ON DELIVERY OF 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT ON JULY 10, 2015, I EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GAS FUEL EMITTING WITHIN THE INTERIOR. I ALSO NOTICED AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP THE MOTOR BEGAN TO SOUND AS IF I WAS ESCALATING INTO THE ATMOSPHERE ON AN AIRPLANE TO 13000 FEET IN THE AIR. THE VEHICLE IS VERY INVITING, HOWEVER; THE EXTERIOR PAINT AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR HAS TOUCHED UP PRIOR TO RESALE.

NHTSA ODI #10733894

100,000 miles · Feb 26, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OCCASIONS OF MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD IT TO MECHANICS MANY TIMES NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIGURE THIS ISSUE OUT. I AM CURRENTLY HAVING THE RECALL FIXED FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE READ PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS 1 TO MANY I SHALL SAY. AND BELIEVE ME I DON'T WANT TO PUT MYSELF, MY CHI…

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THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OCCASIONS OF MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD IT TO MECHANICS MANY TIMES NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIGURE THIS ISSUE OUT. I AM CURRENTLY HAVING THE RECALL FIXED FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE READ PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS 1 TO MANY I SHALL SAY. AND BELIEVE ME I DON'T WANT TO PUT MYSELF, MY CHILD OR ANYONE ELSE IN DANGER BUT THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I CAN NOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER ONE. I WOULD JUST HOPE SOME ONE CAN FIGURE THIS PROBLEM OUT. I DON'T EVEN CARE IF ITS A RECALL ALTHOUGH IT SHOULD BE FOR THE MANY COMPLAINT. I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND HOW TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #10690871

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.