Model year record
2009 Pontiac Torrent recalls & problems
The 2009 Pontiac Torrent has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 17 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is air bags (6 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2009 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
2009 Pontiac Torrent 4-DR. w/SAB
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 16.4% |
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 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Torrent AWD
| City / highway | 17 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Torrent FWD
| City / highway | 17 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Torrent AWD
| City / highway | 16 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/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* |
|---|---|---|
| Air bagsFrontal | 6 | 63,000 mi |
| StructureBody; Body › Hatchback/liftgate | 3 | — |
| Steering | 3 | — |
| Electrical system | 2 | — |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 2 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | — |
| TiresPressure monitoring and regulating systems | 1 | — |
| Engine | 1 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | — |
| Traction control system | 1 | — |
| Power train | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Fuel system, gasoline
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present. Upon inspection, it was discovered that a crack was present on the top of the fuel tank causing fuel to leak onto the ground. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 198,000.
- Steering
Steering gone out while driving times 3 with 2 replacements and now in shop for 3rd replacement. Nearly hit a lady. Time before, I nearly went over an embankment. Steering column has been entirely replaced twice. The electric steering motor has also been replaced 2 to 3 times as well. Numerous times have lost the ability to steer when in a curve but then later corrected itself and continued driving. ABS light is on most of the time and yes it has been looked at numerous times. Stabilitrac light is on and again, yes, this has been looked at numerous times. Traction control light is also on again. Seat belt sensor light is on and has been for a long time. Now, I really cannot afford repairs…
- Air bags
SERVICE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME CAR IS STARTED.ALSO INDICATOR LIGHT SAYS PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF.THERE IS NO WORKING PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AT THIS TIME.IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR OVER A YEAR.
- Structure › Body
DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DASH COVER CRACKING.
- Air bags
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO THE LOCAL GM DEALER. THEY STATED THE "PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE" WAS SHORTING OUT. DEALER STATED THE AIRBAGS MAY NOT INFLATE WITH THE PROBLEM. DEALER STATED THE PONTIAC TORRENT HAD A RECALL ON THE 2006 THRU 2008 TORRENT FOR THE PROBLEM BUT NOT THE 2009. DEALER CHARGED $798.33 TO REPLACE THE MODULE. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE RECALLED.
- Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE STEERING ABILITY SEIZED. ALSO, THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN FLASHING AND A WARNING CHIME SOUNDED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING APPROXIMATELY A HALF MILE DOWN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAITED APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AGAIN AFTER TWO MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO PINCHER WILLIAMS CHEVROLET/PONTIAC IN LONDON, KENTUCKY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED.…
- Electronic stability control (esc)
UNLOCKS AND LOCKS BY ITSELF THE STAZABLE TRACK KEEPS COMING ON ITS LIKE ITS NOT GETTING AIR INTAKE WHEN I'M DRIVING IT NOT SHIFTING RITE SKPS GEARS
- Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL EXPERIENCED STIFFNESS AND SHOOK WHEN TURNING. EVENTUALLY, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. APPROXIMATELY FOUR YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FAULTY AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.