2009 Pontiac TORRENT: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10357677 · 2010-09-26 (September 26, 2010)
I HAVE A 2009 PONTIAC TORRENT AWD. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT AIR BAG 98% OF THE TIME WONT TURN ON FOR MY WIFE. SHE WEIGHS 124 PDS AND THAT SHOULD BE MORE THEN ENOUGH TO SET IT TO AN "ON" POSITION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR HER. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY RESET THE SYSTEM BUT I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER TRIED TO GET GM TO TELL THEM WHAT WAS UP AS TO SETTINGS AND SUCH BUT THEY COULDN'T GET ANYWHERE WITH THEM. I CONTACTED GM AND COMPLAINED AND SOME PERSON FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY WHO YOU COULD JUST UNDERSTAND SAID T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10357677 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10361807 · 2010-10-22 (October 22, 2010)
FIRST EVENT LOW TIRE WARNING TOOK TO DEALER, DEALER STATED IT WAS A VALVE STEM FAILURE. DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. SECOND EVENT LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING CAME ON, WIFE TRIED TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURE WITH HAND HELD TIRE GAUGE STEM BROKE OFF WENT FLAT SUDDENLY, THIRD EVENT REPEAT OF SAME TIRE VALVE STEM SNAPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND PULLING A TRAILER. DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT PUT A STANDARD VALVE STEM ON THE CAR BECAUSE THE FACTORY ONE IS CONSIDERED A SAFETY DEVICE. 35 YEARS OF DRIVING AND A PISS POOR SAFETY DEVICE NEARLY GETS ME KILLED, …
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10361807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10490780 · 2013-01-02 (January 2, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT OPENED THE REAR LIFTGATE AND THE LIFT GATE ABRUPTLY RELEASED, STRIKING THE CONTACT AND CAUSING A SLIGHT INJURY TO THE CONTACT'S HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE BOTH LIFTGATE SUPPORT STRUTS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 47,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10490780 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10496317 · 2013-02-04 (February 4, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10496317 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 10631782 · 2014-09-09 (September 9, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES AND THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10631782 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10734697 · 2015-07-17 (July 17, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHEN OPENING THE REAR LIFTGATE DOOR, THE DOOR WOULD NOT REMAIN IN THE OPEN POSITION AND WOULD SUDDENLY CLOSE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10734697 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.