Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
170–25K
2425–50K
4850–75K
5675–100K
50100–150K
14150K+
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
What owners actually said
240 reports
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 · Feb 14, 2018
SeatsInjury
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
NHTSA ODI #11072841
194,152 miles · Jan 8, 2018
SteeringSuspension
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.…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11061264
180,000 miles · Dec 20, 2017
Visibility/wiper
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, BLOOM…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11055798
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2017
Service Brakes
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 REPLACE…
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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!
NHTSA ODI #11033042
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
20 miles · Aug 28, 2017
Steering
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…
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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
NHTSA ODI #11020086
140,000 miles · Jul 10, 2017
Exterior Lighting
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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11004168
65,000 miles · Apr 4, 2017
StructureSuspensionVisibility/wiper
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…
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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 TOLD BY THE DEALER THE ENTIRE BOTTOM IS RUSTING OUT THE WORST HE'S EVER SEEN FOR A VEHICLE. THESE WERE ALL OEM PARTS BY THE CHEVY DEALER, NOT CHEAP AFTERMARKET INSTALLED IMPROPERLY BY SOME BACKWOODS MECHANIC. CAN I JUST POST THIS ONE LENGTHY COMPLAINT OR DO I NEED TO CREATE ONE FOR EVERY ISSUE?
NHTSA ODI #10970443
99,522 miles · Mar 13, 2017
Visibility/wiper
HEATER SOMETIMES BLOWS ONLY COLD AIR, REGARDLES OF SETTINGS
NHTSA ODI #10965769
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.
2006 Pontiac Torrent Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year