NHTSA — Visibility/Wiper Problems

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.

1.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,740 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 accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2006 Pontiac Torrent Owner Comments

problem #16

Aug 012017

Torrent

  • 180,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Torrent. When the heater was activated, cold air blew from the vents. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the kemp blend door needed to be repaired. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (walser Buick GMC of bloomington, 4601 american blvd West, bloomington, mn 55437) where it was determined that the vehicle was not included in a recall or extended warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and opened case number: 8-3687100903. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- South St Paul, MN, USA

problem #15

Mar 312017

Torrent

  • 65,000 miles
Where to start as it wouldn't let me select more than 3 options. I bought my Torrent in 06 with 65K miles on it and figured that a 40K/ 4 year warranty was a good idea. It was!! it all started when I took it to a car wash a week after buying it, well I exited the car wash and had no throttle with gas peddle, I was stuck. Brought it to the dealer and was told the tubes that allow the sun roof to drain were clogged and water backed up and traveled down the left front pillar and fried the throttle sensor. Replaced it and on I went. These tubes blocked up 3 more times in a few years only frying it one other time. Within the first 3 years with less than 80K miles every hub had to be replaced. The front passenger twice, and front drivers 3 times. 2 months after I bought it around 67K miles the drive shaft bearing needed replacing. Around 76K miles the entire drive shaft needed to be replaced. Around 85K miles the transmission needed to be replaced front a worn bearing that destroyed other internal parts. Around 83K miles the front left bearing needed to be replaced again, was told by the dealer that the knuckle may be the source of the problem as chips of material were seen to be falling off behind the hub. Just last week at only 101K miles the front left hub was bad again!! that makes 5 times on that alone. Various other issues include multiple ABS sensors failing prematurely more than once. I get annual alignments, brand new tires anually, have replaced struts and springs and was told by the dealer the entire bottom is rusting out the worst he's ever seen for a vehicle. These were all oem parts by the Chevy dealer, not cheap aftermarket installed improperly by some backwoods mechanic. Can I just post this one lengthy complaint or do I need to create one for every issue?

- Claremont, NH, USA

problem #14

Dec 072016

Torrent

  • 99,522 miles
Heater sometimes blows only cold air, regardles of settings

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #13

Oct 012016

Torrent

  • 97,365 miles

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

Heating system does not work properly, sometimes heat only blows cool air, manufacturer acknowledges this is a defect but only issued a limited special coverage. The special coverage expired in Feb 2016, my vehicle heating unit broke in Oct 2016! the manufacturer should be responsible to fix this defect! lisa of heating unit causes unsafe driving conditions when windows can not defrost as a result of defect, also occupants freeze their asses off in the winter! unconscionable that GM will not issue a recall for this defect!

- Silverdale, WA, USA

problem #12

Sep 212015

Torrent

  • 173,000 miles
I have a problem with the heat and defroster in my car. It does not work, and thus causes major visibility problems because the windows cannot defrost. This is a safety hazard, which, if left unrepaired, could cause a wreck. I took the car to a GM dealer, and they diagnosed it as a broken temperature blend door. I've done some research on this issue, since it is quite costly (about $1100) to repair. I found that GM has previously repaired this free of charge to the owners because this is a manufacturer defect (special coverage/policy adjustment 11135). The actuator had been designed poorly, using plastic instead of metal. This causes the plastic to break when the actuator over-rotates. This problem violates the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, which states the standards of having a working heater and defogging/defrosting system. This problem is mentioned in 87 of the 198 complaints for the 06 Pontiac Torrent, and has a tsb #10044379. With a seven-year complaint history, I would expect the company to do something about this safety issue. I contacted GM with this information and they said they would contact me in 1 business day. It has been over 5 days now and no word from them. All I want is for this to be fixed/covered by GM because it is a manufacturer's defect and is very expensive (I.e. I cannot afford it even though it's hazardous). I would like to drive safely and with full visibility!

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

problem #11

Sep 232015

Torrent

  • 131,000 miles
My 2006 Torrent has no heat. I have read about this problem and do have the broken temperature blend door. I did receive a letter about this from GM, but since then my car has been fine till the other day when I needed to defrost my windshield. The letter stated that if my heat works to do nothing. But my car is 11000 miles past what they state in the letter to have it fixed for free. They know there was a problem with these doors, it should be covered anyway because a lot of them seem to break. The $1000 dollar labor charge is crazy.

- Berlin , CT, USA

problem #10

Nov 082014

Torrent 6-cyl

  • 111,700 miles

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

My blend door actuator has failed and fell off inside of my cab causing my heat to fail inside my cab for both defrost and heat. I live in a cold climate and it's impossible to drive without heat in the winter. The repair technician quoted me 9+ hours of labor to remove my dash, install the new actuator and re-install my dash. It will take three days to repair and cost me $1800 to fix. Apparently, after speaking with the service technician and my local auto shop, this is a common problem with Pontiac Torrents as I've also read dozens of complaints from people on this site. He said there might be a recall on the part, and I should check. However, after searching my VIN, it does not appear to be a recalled part at this time. I cannot believe this has not been recalled as this is such a costly repair to be made for a faulty part from GM. Please help as this is not does not appear to be an isolated occurrence with Pontiac Torrents.

- Crystal, MN, USA

problem #9

Oct 152014

Torrent 4WD 6-cyl

  • 95,620 miles
Blend door for heat broke allowing only cold air. Was unable to defrost the windshield and warm interior. Condition limits visibility. Other models of same year have been recalled. Only fix is to remove the dash and replace broken part.

- Flatwoods, KY, USA

problem #8

Jan 012014

Torrent

  • miles
While driving 55mph on a trip the heat just stopped blowing. As since, this weather has been -20 and -25 below and I have no defrost, heat. I went to a certified mechanic only to find out the heat/air/door is broke. Cost of repairs $1200 to $1,500 it is an all day job. The dash and all components will have to be removed and put back on. Needless to say with this winter being one of the coldest I understand and can feel what others are going through that has this same problem... and I have to bundle just to go to work. I work an hour away and after finding this is a huge problem !!!! I think that there should be money given to the ones that needs this fixed.

- Whitley, KY, USA

problem #7

Sep 182013

Torrent

  • 79,000 miles
Heater doesn't work. Only blows cool air. Safety issue in winter. Defrost doesn't work. Known problem with heat blend door. $50 part. Quote for repair $900.

- New Castle, PA, USA

problem #6

Apr 122013

Torrent 6-cyl

  • 84,625 miles

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

Purchased vehicle used on 12/06/2006 with 9,968 miles. Replaced entire engine ($5,000) on 03/27/2009 due to issues with the cylinder head gasket (was told the vehicle was no longer under warranty). Mileage at that time was 84,625. In approximately 2009 the passenger side window started going up and down spontaneously. My dog had her head out of the window and it spontaneously closed on her head, restricting her airway. The passenger side door was ripped apart and wiring was replaced. The window worked correctly for about 2 years and then in 2011, the window stopped working entirely. Have had 3 wheel bearings replaced (one twice). In January/February of 2013, the ignition switch and fuse center had to be replaced. Mechanics advised that the fuse center/panel was on "national back order" with no known available date. They repaired it. Total cost paid for that repair was over $335.87. Mileage at that time was 171827 on April 12th the heater stopped working as I was driving. The fan still blows but only cold air. The hoses from the coolant tank heat up when the car is running. Known problem with this make/model. According to similar complaints filed the entire dash will need to be dismantled to fix the blend door/actuator. Known defective part.

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

problem #5

Mar 062013

Torrent

  • 79,000 miles
I started my Torrent just like any morning, the heater ran for maybe 10 minutes then just stopped. It will not blow out any kind of air (hot or cold). Being winter, cold and frosty, this is a severe safety issue. With no defroster it is very hard to see, and its very cold. It costs around 1200 dollars to get it fixed. Even if it is fixed I as told the way that they made the Torrent that it will just break again. I do not have that kind of cash just laying around. It should be recalled but GM is to cheap. This is not the first time I have heard of this happening. I drive along ways and its dangerous not being able to see.

- Cananadaigua, NY, USA

problem #4

Dec 012011

Torrent

  • miles
My 2006 Pontiac Torrent has been having problems with the heater, including the defroster. I live in an area with a lot of snow, ice and extreme cold and often times while driving in the winter the windshield builds too much frost to be able to see out of it. I am very concerned about this as a safety issue. The repair is very expensive (about $1000). As I understand it this is a very common issue with this vehicle. I believe GM should issue a recall for this problem.

- Centennial, CO, USA

problem #3

Nov 012011

Torrent

  • 100,000 miles
I own a 2006 Pontiac Torrent my heating system started getting intermittent the end of winter last year 2011 I did receive a recall letter in. The mail from GM about there hearing system switch but nothing about there heating system seems like after reading up on this issue I'm not the only one that is having hearing system problems I spoke to the dealer about the replacement they said that if its not be switch its not here problem from the sounds of it GM has more than just a switch problem !!!! the economy sucks enough I can't spend 1000's of dollars trying to eliminate a obviously existing problem !! who is there to bail out who?

- West Springfield , MA, USA

problem #2

Nov 202010

Torrent

  • 65,000 miles
The heater and the defroster stopped working. I found that there are a lot of people experiencing this problem. This is a safety issue during the winter time because the defrost does not work. Everyone online says the repair is around $1200 because of how hard it is to get to the part. Please issue a recall!

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #1

Sep 212012

Torrent

  • 75,000 miles
Air conditioning is not working and fan only blows warm air. I took it to a mechanic and he said the temperature air door was broken. It looks like the actuator that moves the door overextends and breaks the door. There are hundreds of complaints online about this issue. This is a visibility problem since the defroster will not work.

- Chesterfield, MO, USA

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