The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed to operate as designed, the brakes seized, and the vehicle lost motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact poured water onto the onboard computer, located on top of the engine to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic installed a new onboard computer however, the new onboard computer failed to operate without the service code required. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be serviced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,500. The VIN was unavailable.
2006 Pontiac Torrent engine problems
50 complaints (21% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 85,000.
- owner complaints
- 50
- of this car's complaints
- 21%
- typical mileage
- 85,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Cooling system7
- Engine1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Pontiac Torrent engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Pontiac Torrent engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Stalling 11Won't start 10Check engine light 7Engine failure 6Knocking 5
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2006 Pontiac Torrent owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The vehicle randomly powers down completely loosing steering, braking, acceleration, emergency flashers and lights, no matter how fast or slow or location. No rhyme or reason to the sporadic complete shut down and doesn't start back immediately and sometimes minutes to hours before it will. Not safe in the highway or side roads or anywhere. There is a fault with the programming in the ecu and gm is the only one who can repair it. Vehicle was recently purchased and I spent just as much as the purchase since replacing parts! It should be recalled before someone gets killed if you google search the year make and model with dying when driving or similar it's clearly something with most of these vehicles unfortunately! Scary and unsafe for everyone on the road, especially after dark when it happens with no warning lights or anything to alert others, please help this vehicle will die when driving down the road or interstate at high speed or low speed when braking or accelerating or sitting at a red light! I have replaced everything that has been recommended and it still happens and the repair shop now is still waiting for gm to rewrite or change the programming to hopefully fix the issues but this is unbelievably dangerous and can be deadly
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 pontiac torrent. While driving 60 MPH, the engine seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and exhibited the same symptoms as unknown the federal safety agency id number: 10573465. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who could not diagnose the failure. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 pontiac torrent. While starting the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound and various warning indicators illuminated. The abnormal noise recurred while driving 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 pontiac torrent. The contact stated that the vehicle would overheat while idling and leaked coolant. The contact had to continuously add antifreeze/coolant to the vehicle. The contact purchased the vehicle five years ago and the heat never worked correctly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the diagnosis was unknown; however, the water pump, belts, pulley, temperature cooling sensor, and thermostat were replaced. The failure persisted. After the repair, when the heat was turned on, an antifreeze/coolant odor was present. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact could hear the engine fans turning on when the engine started overheating. The contact stated that the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed her that the vehicle was over the extended warranty plan of 120,000 miles. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
My car's air conditioning system only works part time. After the system runs for a while it stops cooling and warms up in the cabin. Shut off the air for 5 minutes turn it back on cools fine for about 15 minutes then start the process over. Worse on really hot days. Also, heater has stopped working properly. When the car idles, no heat and little heat when the car is moving, worse on very cold days. Also we have developed a leak under the front left part of the engine that only occurs after the engine cools. Does not leak when engine is running. Coolant reservoir has been replaced, still has leak after engine cools.
A number of unusual issues have plagued us with this car! The keys slide out of the ignition while car is still running. At random times, the engine will rev, but the car will barely move until it eventually stops. Even then it will turn on and the engine will run, but it won't move. At other times, the electrical shuts down and there is no power at all, no lights or sounds. We've replaced the battery (a very expensive one at that) twice, as whatever is happening drains it. The car throws codes that make it impossible to pass inspection. These include: e-vap, throttle body, assorted sensors, break pedal, gas cap, heat/AC motor, and so on. We have replaced and/or repaired everything on the code list and still, it won't clear. The check engine light, ABS, and tread light remain on no matter what we do. We were advised to keep driving it until the computer cleared the codes to "ready", but it's not working. Recently, white wisps of smoke were coming from the steering column, along with a burning smell. The car just died and refused to start. We had to replace the turn signal switch. These are things that should not be occurring with normal maintenance and driving. We've also been told by mechanics that they are dangerous issues, including the possibility of fire while driving, and failures that cause wrecks. They cannot explain why they are occurring, especially after repair. One person said we probably made some repairs that were unnecessary, but we needed the car to pass required inspection. We are sinking too much money into this vehicle to keep it running and cannot afford a new payment as this one is purchased in full. We are disabled, needing dependable transportation for medical appointments and daily errands. Why aren't there recalls? This model is all over the internet and forums for these faulty codes & issues! Incredibly irresponsible of the manufacturer.
My vehicle started to overheat on me so I stopped and checked the coolant levels. I top the coolant level off and continued on my trip (temp gauge back to normal). As I got home the car started to overheat again and I checked all fluid levels but everything was normal. I let the car sit for approximately 30 and then continued driving. I took the car to my personal mechanic and he changed the thermostat, but still having same issues. I notified my mechanic and he then researched all recalls and tsb of my vehicle. He notified me stating gm knows of a known issue with their headgaskets and they recommend using bars leaks if a problem arises. I have followed their recommendation and am now left without a running vehicle. Can someone please get a recall out on this as it is known with all gm vehicles with this motor.
On delivery of 2006 pontiac torrent on july 10, 2015, I experienced while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the overwhelming smell of gas fuel emitting within the interior. I also noticed after leaving the dealership the motor began to sound as if I was escalating into the atmosphere on an airplane to 13000 feet in the air. The vehicle is very inviting, however; the exterior paint as well as the interior has touched up prior to resale.
There have been many occasions of my car completely shutting down while driving. I have had it to mechanics many times no one can seem to figure this issue out. I am currently having the recall fixed for the ignition switch. I have read plenty of complaints 1 to many I shall say. And believe me I don't want to put myself, my child or anyone else in danger but this is my only vehicle and I can not afford to buy another one. I would just hope some one can figure this problem out. I don't even care if its a recall although it should be for the many complaint. I just wanna know what the problem is and how to fix it.
Questions about the 2006 Pontiac Torrent engine
Does the 2006 Pontiac Torrent have engine problems?
Owners have filed 50 complaints about the engine of the 2006 Pontiac Torrent, 21% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2006 Pontiac Torrent engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 85,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Pontiac Torrent engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Pontiac Torrent have bad engine?
The Pontiac Torrent model years with the most engine complaints are 2006 (50 complaints), 2007 (13 complaints) and 2008 (13 complaints).
Other 2006 Pontiac Torrent problems
Visibility 89Electrical 63Steering 29Brakes 17Fuel system 13Seats 12Acceleration 11Body 11Airbags 10Suspension 10Driver assistance 9Wheels 5Transmission 4Tires 3Lights 2Seat belts 2
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2006 Pontiac Torrent?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history