2009 Pontiac TORRENT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
59,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 17 complaints (29.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 17.6% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 11.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
Air Bags: 5; Steering: 3; Electrical System: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Structure:Body: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2010: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10926810 · 2016-11-18 (November 18, 2016)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10926810 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11082144 · 2018-03-30 (March 30, 2018)
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 MINUT…
Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11082144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10316492 · 2010-03-15 (March 15, 2010)
CONSUMERS 2009 PONTIAC TORRENT SURGES WHEN DECELERATING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *TS THEY DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONSUMERS CONCERN. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED WHEN THE VEHICLE IDLED, THE RPM'S SHOWED 1250 AND THE CONSUMER STATED HE COULD NOT TAKE HIS FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WHILE STOPPED AS THE VEHICLE WOULD POSSIBLY MOVE FORWARD. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10316492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11475529 · 2022-07-24 (July 24, 2022)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11475529 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10926954 · 2016-11-18 (November 18, 2016)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10926954 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10499701 · 2013-02-22 (February 22, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE STABILITY CONTROL AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE BATTERY AND WIRING IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BATTERY AND THE WIRING SYSTEM, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10499701 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11545884 · 2023-09-21 (September 21, 2023)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 198,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11545884 at NHTSA ↗