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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

What owners actually said

240 reports
94,500 miles · Mar 13, 2017
Service Brakes

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

NHTSA ODI #10965767

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

175,000 miles · Feb 28, 2017
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROST SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROST SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ODI #10957572

147,000 miles · Feb 17, 2017
SeatsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A BURNING SENSATION EMERGING FROM THE SEAT. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT AND CONTINUED DRIVING HOME. THE CONTACT GOT HOME AND NOTICED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND IN HER JACKET. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A BURNING SENSATION EMERGING FROM THE SEAT. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT AND CONTINUED DRIVING HOME. THE CONTACT GOT HOME AND NOTICED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND IN HER JACKET. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA ODI #10955319

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2017
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT IS STAYING ON

NHTSA ODI #10950427

105,888 miles · Jan 12, 2017
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,888.

NHTSA ODI #10944665

95,000 miles · Nov 24, 2016
Service Brakes

ABS ENGAGES AT LOW SPEED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT EVERY STOP. THIS INCREASES THE STOPPING DISTANCE CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. IT DOES THIS ON ALL ROAD CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10927764

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

210,000 miles · Nov 11, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON THE EVENING OF 11/9/16 IN THE RAIN IN AN "S" CURVE, SLIDING INTO AND HITTING A TREE. THE ACCIDENT WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH FOR THE CAR TO BE TOTALED; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY FOR HER NOR THE PASSENGER. THEY BOTH SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES TO THE HEAD DUE TO THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLO…

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MY DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON THE EVENING OF 11/9/16 IN THE RAIN IN AN "S" CURVE, SLIDING INTO AND HITTING A TREE. THE ACCIDENT WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH FOR THE CAR TO BE TOTALED; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY FOR HER NOR THE PASSENGER. THEY BOTH SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES TO THE HEAD DUE TO THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. MY CONCERN IS TO REPORT THE DEFECT. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY VIN.

NHTSA ODI #10925561

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

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.