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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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78,000 miles · Mar 30, 2014
EngineStructure

NEEDED TO ORDER AN ENTIRE EXHAUST KIT MADE FOR THE ISSUE I RAN INTO WHICH SEEMS TO BE SO COMMON, THEY MADE A KIT TO FIX IT... COST OR REPAIRS $550. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575732

80,000 miles · Mar 30, 2014
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

COOLANT STARTED LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE HEAD GASKETS BLOWN. HALF NEW ENGINE NEEDED TOTAL COST OF REPAIR $3,500. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575731

96,000 miles · Mar 30, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline

CAR WILL START FINE AND RUN BETWEEN THE 1 AND 2 SECTION OF RPM GAUGE.AFTER 10-15 MIN. OF OPERATION CAR WILL DIE SUDDENLY NO SPUTTERING AND ELECTRONICS SEEM TO STILL WORK (RADIO, FLASHERS, HEADLIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS), MUST COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD BEFORE BEING PLOWED INTO. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK INTO LOCAL MECHANIC SAID THE C…

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CAR WILL START FINE AND RUN BETWEEN THE 1 AND 2 SECTION OF RPM GAUGE.AFTER 10-15 MIN. OF OPERATION CAR WILL DIE SUDDENLY NO SPUTTERING AND ELECTRONICS SEEM TO STILL WORK (RADIO, FLASHERS, HEADLIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS), MUST COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD BEFORE BEING PLOWED INTO. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK INTO LOCAL MECHANIC SAID THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CODE WAS ON AND THAT THEY "BLEW IT OUT", LIGHT SHUT OFF TORRENT RAN FINE FOR 1 DAY. REPEATED PROCESS IS OF DYING IS NOW ONGOING, CAR WILL EITHER DIE OR STALL (FEELS LIKE A DOWNSHIFT), THEN BLOW OUT A CLOUD OF BLACK SMOKE AND KEEP RUNNING IF ENGINE DOES NOT DIE, ALSO RPM'S REDUCE TO THE 0 - 1 SECTION OF GAUGE RATHER THEN THE NORMAL 1-2 SECTION LIKE WHEN I BOUGHT IT. 2 MECHANICS COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AFTER CHECKING 2 SENSOR'S, FUEL PUMP AND FUSE BOX. PROBLEM STILL NOT RESOLVED.... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575728

81,900 miles · Mar 19, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A GARAGE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A DRIVEWAY WITH THE ILLUMI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A GARAGE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A DRIVEWAY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, THE KEY WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL TO ENTER THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,900. UPDATED 4/28/14*CN THE DEALER STATED THE ECM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10573465

80,000 miles · Mar 1, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

DRIVING APPROX. 45 MPH DOWN 4 LANE HIGHWAY IN THE LEFT LANE. ENGINE STOPPED AND LOST ALL STEERING & BRAKING CONTROL. ABLE TO COAST TO A DITCH ON SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURNED THE VEHICLE TO OFF POSITION IN IGNITION SWITCH THEN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHICLE. AFTER 3-4 CRANKING ATTEMPTS, CAR STARTED. WENT STRAIGHT TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP.…

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DRIVING APPROX. 45 MPH DOWN 4 LANE HIGHWAY IN THE LEFT LANE. ENGINE STOPPED AND LOST ALL STEERING & BRAKING CONTROL. ABLE TO COAST TO A DITCH ON SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURNED THE VEHICLE TO OFF POSITION IN IGNITION SWITCH THEN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHICLE. AFTER 3-4 CRANKING ATTEMPTS, CAR STARTED. WENT STRAIGHT TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON. SECOND OCCASION- DRIVING APPROX. 25 MPH DOWN 2 LANE ROAD. BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN TO TURN LEFT- ENGINE STOPPED AND LOST ALL STEERING & BRAKING CONTROL. ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURNED THE VEHICLE TO OFF POSITION IN IGNITION SWITCH THEN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHICLE. CAR STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. WENT TO NEAREST SERVICE STORE AND ONCE AGAIN WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING APPEARED TO BE WRONG BECAUSE THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON. TAKES MULTIPLE CRANKING ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE ON A DAILY BASIS. NO PATTERN TO WHEN. COULD BE IN THE AM, PM, MIDDLE OF THE DAY, HOT, COLD, WARM, RAINING, SNOWING, SUNNY, CLOUDY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566625

120,000 miles · Nov 26, 2013
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFire

ON NOVEMBER 15, 2013 I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UP UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED OVER AND RAISED THE HOOD AND THE ELECTRICAL WIRES TO THE ELECTRICAL BOX WAS ON FIRE. I CUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND SAT FOR A MINUTE AND THE AUTOMATIC STARTER JUST KEPT STARTING THE CAR BY ITSELF. I GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND TRIED …

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ON NOVEMBER 15, 2013 I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UP UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED OVER AND RAISED THE HOOD AND THE ELECTRICAL WIRES TO THE ELECTRICAL BOX WAS ON FIRE. I CUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND SAT FOR A MINUTE AND THE AUTOMATIC STARTER JUST KEPT STARTING THE CAR BY ITSELF. I GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE IT TRIED TO START WITHOUT ME TURNING THE KEY OVER. I GOT BACK OUT THE VEHICLE AND IT CONTINUED TO AUTOMATICALLY START BY ITSELF UNTIL THE BATTERY RAN DEAD. ON NOVEMBER 18, 2013 I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND HE STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD BURNED UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553889

59,000 miles · Apr 24, 2013
Engine

BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509469

84,625 miles · Apr 14, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineVisibility/wiper

PURCHASED VEHICLE USED ON 12/06/2006 WITH 9,968 MILES. REPLACED ENTIRE ENGINE ($5,000) ON 03/27/2009 DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET (WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY). MILEAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 84,625. IN APPROXIMATELY 2009 THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW STARTED GOING UP AND DOWN SPONTANEOUSLY. M…

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PURCHASED VEHICLE USED ON 12/06/2006 WITH 9,968 MILES. REPLACED ENTIRE ENGINE ($5,000) ON 03/27/2009 DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET (WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY). MILEAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 84,625. IN APPROXIMATELY 2009 THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW STARTED GOING UP AND DOWN SPONTANEOUSLY. MY DOG HAD HER HEAD OUT OF THE WINDOW AND IT SPONTANEOUSLY CLOSED ON HER HEAD, RESTRICTING HER AIRWAY. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS RIPPED APART AND WIRING WAS REPLACED. THE WINDOW WORKED CORRECTLY FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AND THEN IN 2011, THE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING ENTIRELY. HAVE HAD 3 WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED (ONE TWICE). IN JANUARY/FEBRUARY OF 2013, THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FUSE CENTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. MECHANICS ADVISED THAT THE FUSE CENTER/PANEL WAS ON "NATIONAL BACK ORDER" WITH NO KNOWN AVAILABLE DATE. THEY REPAIRED IT. TOTAL COST PAID FOR THAT REPAIR WAS OVER $335.87. MILEAGE AT THAT TIME WAS 171827 ON APRIL 12TH THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING. THE FAN STILL BLOWS BUT ONLY COLD AIR. THE HOSES FROM THE COOLANT TANK HEAT UP WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL. ACCORDING TO SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FILED THE ENTIRE DASH WILL NEED TO BE DISMANTLED TO FIX THE BLEND DOOR/ACTUATOR. KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508170

68,000 miles · Jan 14, 2013
EngineEquipment Adaptive/mobilityVehicle Speed Control

TOTAL OF 4 OCCURRENCES. AFTER ACCELERATING, ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME LODGED IN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER THE OPERATOR REMOVED PRESSURE FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. UNINTENDED, UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION CONTINUED DURING ATTEMPTED BRAKING. CONTINUED BRAKING WAS ONLY MARGINALLY EFFECTIVE AT…

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TOTAL OF 4 OCCURRENCES. AFTER ACCELERATING, ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME LODGED IN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER THE OPERATOR REMOVED PRESSURE FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. UNINTENDED, UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION CONTINUED DURING ATTEMPTED BRAKING. CONTINUED BRAKING WAS ONLY MARGINALLY EFFECTIVE AT REDUCING VEHICLE SPEED. OPERATOR WAS ABLE TO GRADUALLY REDUCE SPEED THROUGH CONTINUOUS BRAKING ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO DELIVER POWER IN OPPOSITION. ULTIMATELY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RELEASED FROM THE FLOOR MAT AND THE DRIVER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. PRIOR TO THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, AFTER-MARKET FLOOR MATS HAD BEEN INSTALLED FOR LESS THAN 1MONTH AND WERE SUSPECTED TO BE DEFECTIVE AS THEY HAVE NARROW, DEEP "WELLS" THAT CROSS THE MAT SIDE TO SIDE IN THE REGION BELOW THE PEDALS RATHER THAN ALONG THE LENGTH. BY INSPECTION, IT WAS EASILY DETERMINED THAT THE HEEL OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL EASILY BECAME ENTRAPPED IN THOSE WELLS. FOLLOWING THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE FLOOR MATS WERE REPLACED WITH ONES WITHOUT THE DEEP HORIZONTAL WELLS. HOWEVER, 3 ADDITIONAL SIMILAR INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED WITH THOSE MATS. THE DURATION OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WAS MUCH LESS BECAUSE THE OPERATOR KNEW TO "KICK" THE PEDAL LOOSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492872

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.