NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2006 Pontiac Torrent (Page 3 of 3)

CarComplaints.com Seal Of This Might Hurt

CarComplaints.com Notes: No heat, no air conditioning, and visibility issues because of a busted defogger system. Basically, anything coming out of a vent in the 2006 Torrent is broken.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,246 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Pontiac Torrent electrical problems

electrical problem

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2006 Pontiac Torrent Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #18

May 202011

Torrent

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

During the summer, the air conditioning on our 2006 Pontiac Torrent started acting up. We could only run the car's air conditioner for a few minutes before it would start blowing out warm air. We found that if we turned it off for a while, then turned it back on, it would work for a while longer, then we would have to repeat the process. Now that cooler temperatures are here, we have found that the heater is blowing out cold air. We took it to a repair shop to see what was wrong with it and was told that it was the blend door, which is a common problem with the Torrent. Cost: $1200, as it would be a good eight hour job to replace the necessary part. Since the cost was so high, we took it to another place and was given the same verdict, but the repair cost was substantially less - $750, which is still a lot for a part that costs less than $100. We don't have the money to have this part replaced right now because we just dished out $551 to have the catalytic converter replaced, so we are looking into a portable heater until we can afford to have the repairs done. The blend door should be recalled and taken care of by the manufacturer. Our family of five (the youngest being nine years old) has been bundling up every time we get into the car, but are worried about when the temperature gets colder and the windows start frosting over. This part, in particular, is extremely dangerous to be without during the winter, due to inadequate visibility from windows that cannot be defrosted. Definitely a safety issue that should be addressed by the manufacturer!!!

- Granite City, IL, USA

problem #17

Nov 142011

Torrent

  • 123,000 miles
The heat went out in my 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Took it to the dealership where I was told it was the blend door actuator. I was also told this is a common problem with the Pontiac Torrent. The labor alone on this problem is $1200. The part itself is only costing me $35. I feel this is very dangerous as it gets very cold in Indiana for winter, and when you have no heat, and only cold air blowing out it reduces visibility to almost zero. Why isn't GM recalling this part? hundreds of people are having this problem. I don't feel this is an effective way to keep an honest business running. Please make a recall on this problem and reimburse people for the cost.

- Osceola, IN, USA

problem #16

Nov 012011

Torrent 6-cyl

  • miles
I own a 06 Pontiac Torrent and just recently the heater and defroster quit working. After having it fixed and paying 200 and driving it 5 miles, I woke up the next day to go to work to have no heat or defrost again to have it diagnosed again and be told that the heater blend door was broken and it would cost around $600 to be fixed. After much research I have found that there are thousands of Torrent owners with the same problem, as well as Chevrolet equinox owners. This is a serious visibility issue, with no way to clear our windows of fog and frost in these colder months. Although I have not heard of any deaths or injuries resulting from this obvious design flaw, I believe it is just a matter of time. Please help!!!!

- Elkhart, IN, USA

problem #15

Nov 092011

Torrent

  • 74,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Started driving and there was no heat; only cold air, in Colorado 27 degree weather. Discovered the heater blend door broke, and there are countless complaints about this on this car. Appears to be a known defect. The part cost $50. But the repair will cost $1500. The entire dash has to be removed, and heater box and hoses disconnected. Please help get this as a recall! serious safety issue in cold weather if defect occurs!!!!

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #14

Oct 202010

Torrent

  • 80,000 miles
I own a 06 Pontiac Torrent and just recently the heater and defroster quit working. After having it diagnosed I was told that the heater blend door was broken and it would cost around $1000 to be fixed. After much research I have found that there are thousands of Torrent owners with the same problem, as well as Chevrolet equinox owners. This is a serious visibility issue, with no way to clear our windows of fog and frost in these colder months. Although I have not heard of any deaths or injuries resulting from this obvious design flaw, I believe it is just a matter of time. Please help!!!!

- Reading, MI, USA

problem #13

Oct 032011

Torrent 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Air blend door has defect where motor actuator over-rotates and breaks door. Vehicle is left with no heat for vehicle or defroster. This is a manufacturing defect and can happen at any time, causing loss of visibility in cold weather. Internet search indicates this is common problem for 2006 Pontiac Torrent and Chevy equinox.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #12

Oct 032011

Torrent

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The motor actuator for the air blend door over-rotates, which has caused the air blend door to fail. The result is the car no longer has any heat and the windows can no longer be defrosted. This has been a common problem for 2006 Pontiac Torrents and Chevy equinox (the internet is full of complaints). GM has refused to conduct a recall or tsb due to the large amount of labor required to tear the dash apart to fix (7-8 hours). This is a manufacturing defect that needs to be addressed and can occur at any time, which would cause loss of all defrosting capability of the windshield and side windows.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #11

Mar 152011

Torrent

  • miles
No heat; temperature control does not change from cold to hot. Believe temperature blend door to be the problem, as this seems to be what the dealers (checked with 3 local GM dealers) all point to as a common problem on this model. This will affect visibility (no or poor defrosting) as well as comfort, both of which are safety hazards when facing the coming Wisconsin winter. Strongly believe this to be a manufacturing defect that should be recalled, as it involves a relatively low cost part but extensive labor to dismantle the dashboard and replace it. Estimates have ranged from $800 to $1200 for the job. Please take action on this, as it has been a safety and financial concern for me and my family, as well as numerous other Pontiac Torrent and Chevrolet equinox owners. Thank you.

- Racine, WI, USA

problem #10

Jan 152011

Torrent

  • 95,000 miles
2006 Pontiac Torrent; loss of heating system; no de-ice or defrost capability; $1200 repair cost...failure of air temp blend door assembly.

- Zachary, LA, USA

problem #9

Feb 222011

Torrent

  • 106,000 miles
2006 Pontiac Torrent - heat stopped working without warning - only cold air blowing from heater and defroster/defogger. Brought car in for service and had coolant, heater core, fuses and thermostat checked - all fine. Told the problem is the "blend door" inside the dash and it will cost approximately $1000 in labor since the entire dashboard needs to be removed in order for the part to be replaced. This is a safety issue since without heat, the defroster does not clear the windshield or driver side and passenger side windows, affecting visibility. After reading numerous complaints about this same issue I really think a recall is in order here. This is not a normal "wear and tear" issue, and is obviously a design flaw and faulty parts, please help.

- South Berwick, ME, USA

problem #8

Oct 242010

Torrent 6-cyl

  • 57,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2006 Pontiac Torrent driver airbag did not deploy during rear collision. Wires in drivers door were broken which seems to be common problem with this model. Not sure if these wires control airbag or not but power windows and doors stopped working, various dash lights go on and off at various times. The wiring harness appears to be installed too tightly causing the wires to stretch when the door is opened and closed. Google "2006 Pontiac Torrent wiring harness" to find that this is not uncommon.

- Chesterfield, MO, USA

problem #7

Jan 232011

Torrent 6-cyl

  • 100,894 miles
When I was driving down the highway I set my cruise control and after driving a little while it reset causing me to slow down in the middle of the highway. The second is when attempting to start my vehicle it wouldn't crank causing me to attempt two or three more times before it was successful. I took it too the dealership twice and they told me nothing was wrong with it. Third I woke up Sunday morning and I had no heat in my truck the heater is blowing cool air I was told that was the blend box. And when I went to fill up my gas tank this morning the fuel meter stopped at 3/4 of a tank when I know it is on a full tank. I have not replaced any parts at this time because I am aware it will cost several hundred dollars to fix the blend box.

- Southaven, MS, USA

problem #6

Oct 062010

Torrent

  • 74,000 miles
No heat in vehicle. Only blowing cold air. Happened suddenly and without warning. This is causing me to be unable to defrost my windshield at all. It frosts up and obstructs my view while I'm driving my car. So far everything I've had done has not corrected the problem. Had thermostat replaced, heater core checked several times, coolant flushed. Still no heat.

- Belleville, MI, USA

problem #5

Mar 102008

Torrent

  • 48,000 miles
"blend door" failure, causing no heat and a $1500 repair for a fairly new car.

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

problem #4

Sep 092010

Torrent

  • 43,994 miles
I had visited the local dealer, Chevrolet castriota in port richey Florida for the second time in 18 months again. The battery was replaced at my cost, not under factory warranty 24 months after purchasing the vehicle new and again today 18 months later. Looks like a pattern of these batteries lasting 1- 2 years. My acdelco battery on my Pontiac Torrent has been replaced 3 times in 4 years. I had to pay for the second battery out of pocket since the original battery only carries limited warranty....even though the battery is now covered, the labor each incident is not. So each time im in its costing money...what a racket....there's always have been history of problems with the acdelco batteries...I had similar problems with acdelco over 10 years ago with other vehicles but expected them to be resolved by know.but we are guaranteed to visit the dealer and pay out of pocket for a product that carries 5 year warranty but lasts 1-2 years with labor charges.....,amazing....where's the class action guru's when you need them..heee.

- New Port Richey , FL, USA

problem #3

Oct 152009

Torrent

  • 56,000 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.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #2

Dec 012008

Torrent

  • 27,000 miles
Hi, my name is ashley adams. I live in greenville, al. I have a 2006 Pontiac Torrent with 34,000 miles on it. I have loved GM vehicles since I was able to drive one. I have had a Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 2 cavaliers, and now my Torrent. The Torrent is the first new vehicle I have ever purchased. I have had problems out of my vehicle since I purchased it in September 2006. It was in the shop twice where I purchased it from. Well my dealer closed so I had to bring it to the local Pontiac dealer here. The main problem I am having now with it is that when I turn the key over to crank, it seems like it keeps trying to crank. Also, the volume up button only works about 10% of the time, the heater/air when you turn it on just the feet, doesn't blow on just the feet. It does not change from when you put it on the feet and from when you put it on the feet/defrost. I am just not having any luck with my Torrent! I am almost out of warranty and I am betting that they are putting me off till my warranty is up. I have read many different complaints from people online. Alot of them have problems with theirs cranking period. Some living in very cold temperatures and end up freezing cold because their vehicle won't crank. I am pregnant and I need a reliable vehicle! I definitely don't want one that won't crank and me sitting in my car freezing with an infant! please help! I don't know who else to turn to.

- Greenville, AL, USA

problem #1

Jan 152008

Torrent

  • miles
My 2006 Pontiac Torrent has been in the shop 6-7 times in the last 8 months. The starter, ac, heat, power steering, radio, and car itself decide not to work intermittently. The repair shop has replaced the starter, the alternator, the power module to the heat/air, along with many other components, however, the problems seems to reappear. It has also lunged forward while coming to a stop a few times. We have complained to the our dealer numerous times and was told to call GM. However, when we called GM we were told that it was up to the dealer to decide whether or not to do anything.

- Pinewood, SC, USA

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