Model year record
2006 Pontiac Torrent recalls & problems
The 2006 Pontiac Torrent has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 240 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is visibility (79 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2006 Pontiac Torrent.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2006 Pontiac Torrent 4-DR.
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 18.7% |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Torrent FWD
| City / highway | 17 / 22 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Torrent AWD
| City / highway | 16 / 21 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core | 79 | 64,876 mi |
| Electrical systemWiring; Ignition | 63 | 84,812 mi |
| Steering | 29 | 80,000 mi |
| Engine | 29 | 95,770 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Engine | 21 | 55,000 mi |
| Visibility/wiper | 16 | 96,492 mi |
| Service brakes | 14 | 105,888 mi |
| SeatsFront assembly › Seat heater/cooler | 12 | 78,880 mi |
| Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cruise control | 11 | 49,000 mi |
| StructureBody; Body › Door | 11 | 83,500 mi |
| SuspensionRear; Front › Wheel bearing | 10 | 74,500 mi |
| Air bagsFrontal | 10 | 115,000 mi |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- 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 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…
- Service brakes
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…
- Suspension
WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, MY CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN I WOULD HIT A BUMP OR WHEN I WOULD PRESS ON THE BRAKES. THE KNOCKING WAS COMING FROM SOMEWHERE UNDER THE CAR IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY (VERY TRUSTWORTHY) MECHANIC TODAY AND HE SAID THE AXLE BODY OF THE CAR WAS RUSTED AWAY AND THAT'S WHAT HOLDS THE SUSPENSION IN PLACE. THIS IS A VERY UNUSUAL SITUATION THAT YOU DON'T USUALLY SEE, AND IS NOT FIXABLE. I WAS DRIVING ON WELL-PAVED STREETS AT A LOW SPEED (NO MORE THAN 35MPH).
- Electronic stability control (esc)Fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES INADVERTENTLY DISENGAGED WHILE IN USE AS SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND FLAMES WERE SEEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED AS THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE RAIN. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
- Service brakes
WHILE DRIVING AND STOPPING MY BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND THE ABS AND TC CONTROL LIGHTS TURN ON THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES
- Electrical system
THE HEAT DOESN'T WORK IN CAR FREEZING COLD IN CAR
- 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 AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
- Structure › Body
THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET WHEN IT BROKE
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.