2006 Pontiac Torrent problems
Owners have filed 362 complaints about the 2006 Pontiac Torrent with NHTSA. Visibility accounts for 21.8% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 17.4%.
Complaints362
Crashes19
Fires18
Injuries21
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Visibility 21.8% · 79
Electrical system 17.4% · 63
Steering 8.0% · 29
Engine 8.0% · 29
Engine and engine cooling 5.8% · 21
Visibility/wiper 4.4% · 16
Service brakes 3.9% · 14
Seats 3.3% · 12
Severity
Of those complaints, 19 describe a crash, 18 describe a fire and 21 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 3 model years of the Pontiac Torrent in this data, 2006 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 20 in the last three years against 61 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 80,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated that the heater's blower motor malfunctioned and only cold air would blow out of the vents. The contact also stated that the front defroster was no longer functioning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the blend door needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 79,000. The vin was unavailable. Visibility · reported at 79,000 miles
The software in the center instrument panel can cause the heating, air conditioning, defrost, and radio controls, as well as the panel illumination to become inoperative. This is exactly the same thing happening on the 2006 equinox and Pontiac Torrent and needs to be recalled to have the heater fixed just like the 2010 models so people don't get into accidents because their windows won't defrost. Visibility · reported at 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated that there was no heat blowing from the vents only cold air. The vehicle was inspected by both an independent mechanic and an authorized dealer. They both informed her that she would need to replace the heater door. The heater door was replaced by an authorized dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000. The vin was unavailable. Visibility · reported at 52,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…