2006 Pontiac TORRENT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
240 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 209 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 58 of 240 complaints (24.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 35 | 14.6% |
| Braking behavior | 30 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 26 | 10.8% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 4.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 3.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 0.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 58 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 41 |
| Engine | 29 |
| Steering | 29 |
| Visibility | 26 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 16 |
| Service Brakes | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 13 |
Electrical System: 58; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: 41; Engine: 29; Steering: 29; Visibility: 26; Visibility/Wiper: 16; Service Brakes: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 24 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 48 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 56 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 50 |
| 150,000 and above | 14 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 24; 50,000 to 74,999: 48; 75,000 to 99,999: 56; 100,000 to 149,999: 50; 150,000 and above: 14
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (56). 31 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2010 | 29 |
| 2011 | 47 |
| 2012 | 18 |
| 2013 | 15 |
| 2014 | 49 |
| 2015 | 18 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2006: 8; 2007: 5; 2008: 3; 2009: 12; 2010: 29; 2011: 47; 2012: 18; 2013: 15; 2014: 49; 2015: 18; 2016: 10; 2017: 13; 2018: 8; 2019: 4; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 35 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 26 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10149476 · 2006-02-05 (February 5, 2006)
2006 PONTIAC TORRENT - 500 MILES ON CAR - AMBIENT TEMP 35 DEGREES F - DEFROSTER ON HIGH FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES - VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH AUTO DIM RVM WITH TEMP AND COMPASS - MIRROR ATTACH TO WINDSHIELD FAILED - MIRROR SHOT TOWARD PASSENGER COMPARTMENT ONLY RESTRAINED BY WIRE HARNESS - WINDSHIELD DELAMINATED AT MOUNTING POINT OF INSIDE MIRROR - LAYER OF GLASS REMAINED ATTACHED TO MIRROR MOUNT - WINDSHIELD THEN CRACKED APPROX 20" IN ALL DIRECTIONS FROM FAILURE - ON HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH - STARTLED - PULLED OFF TO SEE IF W/S HIT FROM EXTERIOR - NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 570 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10152153 · 2006-03-07 (March 7, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR MIDDLE SEATBELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. WHILE REACHING DOWN THE PASSENGERS NECK BECAME ENTWINED IN THE SHOULDER PORTION OF THE SEATBELT CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. THE BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE THEREFORE THE SEATBELT WAS CUT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,852 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10152991 · 2006-03-03 (March 3, 2006)
WHEN CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE, 2006 TORRENT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE AT HIGH SPEED. *TS AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE CRASHED ONTO ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER'S BODY SHOP. WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO DO AN ALIGNMENT THEY NOTICED DAMAGE TO THE STEERING SYSTEM COMPONENTS (RIGHT FRONT STRUT, STEERING KNUCKLE, HUB, BEARING AND LOWER CONTROL ARM). THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE SHOP TO BE INSPECTED. THE TECHN…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,699 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152991 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10161025 · 2006-06-28 (June 28, 2006)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET, THERE WAS A WOBBLE IN THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE CAR. THE CAR SUDDENLY SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MY SON, WHO WAS DRIVING, WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED AND BURNED FROM THE AIR BAGS. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT BODY DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE BODY SHOP THAT HAS THE CAR SAID THE RIGHT FRONT KNUCKLE BROKE THEREBY CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL OFF AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. OTHER ADDITIONAL DAMAGE IS A BENT FRAME AND BENT BRAKE CALIPERS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR …
Owner-reported narrative. 4,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10166506 · 2006-08-25 (August 25, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS AT AN INTERSECTION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN. THE MALFUNCTION AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS A FAULTY PCM WIRING. ON THE SECOND INCIDENT, WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, TO 5 MPH, THE MALFUNCTION AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166506 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10168679 · 2006-09-19 (September 19, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THERE WAS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE REAR AXLE, TIE ROD, AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. THE DEALERSHIP READJUSTED THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE PROBLEM CEASED. ALSO, WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168679 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10171483 · 2006-10-21 (October 21, 2006)
I HAVE A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT, THAT IS/WAS DRIVEN BY MY SON WHO WAS ON HIS WAY HOME FROM WORK. THE HIGHWAY HE WAS DRIVING ON HAS A SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MPH, WITH A LENIENCY OF GOING 70 MPH. WELL THERE IS CONSTRUCTION OF REPAVING THE HIGHWAY, WELL NOT ALL OF THE REPAVING WAS DONE ESPECIALLY GETTING ONTO THE OFF RAMP WHICH HAS A HIGH 2-3 INCH DROP OFF OF ASPHALT. APPROX. 1/4 MILE OF THE HIGHWAY GETTING ONTO THE OFF RAMP WHICH WAS NOT PAVED COMPLETELY STILL HAVING THE 2-3 INCH DROP OFF OF ASPHALT. WHILE MY SON WAS CROSSING OVER TO GET ONTO THE OFF R…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171483 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10175987 · 2006-12-12 (December 12, 2006)
WHEN THE DEFROSTER OR AIR CONDITIONING IS ENGAGED, THE RPMS SPIKE EVERY 45 SECONDS. IF THE VEHICLE IS AT A STOP, IT WILL SURGE FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 2 FEET BEFORE COMING TO A REST. ADDITIONAL BRAKE PRESSURE WILL STOP THE SURGE. SEPARATE COMPLAINT REGARDING A TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER IGNITION OR SHORTLY AFTER. THESE COMPLAINTS ARE VERY SIMILAR TO ODI ID NUMBER: 10168679. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10175987 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.