RoadVitals

2009 Pontiac Torrent Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Sep 21, 2023
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Mar 15, 2010

What this page shows

Our database holds 17 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Pontiac Torrent. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–17 of 17

Fuel system
Filed Sep 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.

NHTSA ID
11545884
Incident
Sep 1, 2023
Mileage
198,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 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 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 once again for something that needs a recall. I have read hundreds of other people also making these same reports in NHTSA comments. Please, people are going to get killed if not already. Now, I also see that these steering columns are being sent back to the manufacturer and the same defective modules are being replaced and then sent back out to replace another vehicles defective part while charging the customer full price yet again. A repairman stated to me that the defective part was being replaced with another defective part and was really useless repairs. Will you please buy this lemon back from me. It has nearly costed me and my families life numerous times plus others. Please recall these parts. Please make it possible for me to get a different vehicle. This started in less than a year from the purchase of the new vehicle when we had the first steering column replaced. Would you want your spouse or child driving these vehicles?

NHTSA ID
11475529
Incident
Jul 24, 2022
Airbags
Filed Dec 16, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11289333
Incident
Jun 1, 2018
Mileage
85,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 1, 2018

DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DASH COVER CRACKING.

NHTSA ID
11099211
Incident
Jun 1, 2018
Airbags
Filed Apr 3, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11083150
Incident
Mar 10, 2018
Mileage
56,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 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 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO PINCHER WILLIAMS CHEVROLET/PONTIAC IN LONDON, KENTUCKY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED. THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

NHTSA ID
11082144
Incident
Mar 25, 2018
Mileage
71,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 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

NHTSA ID
10926954
Incident
Nov 10, 2016
Steering
Filed Nov 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 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 6,000. UPDATED 01/11/2017*CT UPDATED 7/6/18*JB

NHTSA ID
10926810
Incident
Jan 2, 2012
Mileage
6,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceOther / unspecified
Filed Nov 4, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG, STABILITY CONTROL, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA ID
10788321
Incident
Jun 3, 2015
Mileage
119,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 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.

NHTSA ID
10734697
Incident
May 4, 2015
Mileage
80,000 mi
AirbagsFuel system
Filed Sep 9, 2014
Crash reported2 injuries reported

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 NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID
10631782
Incident
Mar 13, 2013
Mileage
30,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 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 APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ID
10499701
Incident
Dec 1, 2012
Mileage
56,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 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.

NHTSA ID
10496317
Incident
Nov 15, 2012
Mileage
63,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 2, 2013
1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10490780
Incident
Dec 19, 2012
Mileage
47,500 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 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, VEHICLE IS A 2009 PONTIAC TORRENT WITH UNDER 50,000 MILES. ALSO PERSISTENT PROBLEM OF LOOSING TIRE PRESSURE. I'VE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT REQUIRED DAILY TIRE PRESSURE CHECKS TYPICALLY A DAILY VISUAL AND ONCE A WEEK IS PRESSURE TEST IS ADEQUATE, BUT NOT THIS LEMON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10361807
Incident
Jul 15, 2010
Mileage
30,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 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 THE SAME OLD THING ABOUT THE CAR. I KNOW THAT EARLIER PONTIAC TORRENTS HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND A RECALL WAS DONE. I THINK GM STILL HAS A PROBLEM. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ID
10357677
Incident
Jul 12, 2009
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 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

NHTSA ID
10316492
Incident
Nov 1, 2009

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .