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2006 Pontiac Torrent Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 240 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Pontiac Torrent, most often about the visibility and wipers (37% of complaints, typically around 68,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Torrent model year since 2000.
Complaints240
Recalls0
Crashes reported10
Fires reported10
Injuries reported15
Most common 2006 Pontiac Torrent problems
Visibility and wipers
89 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, power window devices and controls, rear window wiper/washer, glass, side/rear.
I own a 2006 Pontiac Torrent driving along one day and the heat just went out. This caused a dangerous situation as the defrost stopped working as well. I have been unable to drive the car in the winter for going on three years now its just not safe. Due to the number of complaints filed for this same exact thing it…
Experienced no heat; fan worked. No heat means you can't defrost or de-fog your windshield. Took to dealer for repair. From invoice -- "temp actuator out of parameter. Broken temp door...temp door does not move...defective temp actuator. Does not respond....r&r temp actuator. Found end of temp door broken off. Temp…
Electrical
63 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, instrument cluster/panel.
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.…
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate the vehicle would not move. The contact also indicated that on several occasions while driving at speeds above 45 MPH the vehicle would suddenly stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the defect.…
Engine
50 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine.
The car has a tendency to have loss of power or stall while driving. The one particular time that is of great safety concern is when it had loss of power while driving on the highway. The car also won't randomly start and have been stalled in the -30 degrees freezing cold for over an hour on a remote highway. Took it…
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate the vehicle would not move. The contact also indicated that on several occasions while driving at speeds above 45 MPH the vehicle would suddenly stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the defect.…
Steering
29 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.
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…
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel became inoperable. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized dealer; who advised that the power steering module and control module would need replacing. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred.…
Brakes
17 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: pedals and linkages.
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.…
Slowing down at a stop sign from 30mph I notice my brake pedal stutter like the ABS was activated. It would only happen a few times a day, all a random through out the day. After 3 days of this, the ABS light and tc light came on. It was diagnosed with front left hub assembly needing to be replaced at $650. This was…
Fuel system
13 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 92,500 miles.
On 2 occasions my car died on me in the middle of the road while im driving with my newborn. First time I got gas. Half mile down the road car dies.they say its fuel pump. Spent 3 days at shop on third day with no work done car starts runs fine for 2 weeks with multiple gas fill ups in between. Three days ago I get…
My car won't start on the first crank at times...I have to give it gas or it will stall...it also starts up hard at first it did it occasionally now it's start to do it every time I start my car...I took it to get looked at no one knows...the check engine light is on as well and reads fuel codes...please help
Seats
12 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
I was driving down the road and had the heated seats on. On the driver's side I felt my back get hot and felt behind me and my coat had a hole burnt through it my back was hot and a hole in the seat also.
While I was driving my 2006 Pontiac Torrent, my driver side heated seat caught fire. The seat was turned on and began getting hotter than usual. I began to smell burning. I was on a major highway and could not pull over, so I stuck my hat behind my back due to the high temperature. Although I turned off the seat I…
Speed control
11 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Torrent. While driving at any speed with the cruise control activated, the accelerator pedal became stuck to the floor and caused continuous acceleration. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not stop. The vehicle stopped accelrating once it was shut off. The…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Pontiac Torrent recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2006 Pontiac Torrent
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Pontiac Torrent?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: visibility and wipers (89 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles); electrical (63 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); engine (50 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Pontiac Torrent have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Pontiac Torrent?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Torrent model year since 2000, with 240 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.