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Pontiac Torrent fire or smoke problems

15 of the 625 owner complaints about the Pontiac Torrent describe fire, smoke or burning smell, most of them for the 2006 model year.

owner complaints
15
worst model year
2006
typical mileage
102,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

What owners say

Filed May 9, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · MI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 pontiac torrent. The contact stated that the windshield wiper blades inadvertently disengaged while in use as smoke was seen coming from the ignition. The contact pulled over and exited the vehicle. The contact opened the hood and flames were seen. The fire department was not contacted as the fire was extinguished by the rain. No injuries were sustained. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The condition of the vehicle was unknown. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 2, 2019 · Electrical · 122,000 miles · NY · fire

200 pontiac torrent ..snow melted and the water leaked into the fuse box and imitated a fire .it shorted out the system caught fire I. Which fire guard did not protect and the car was totally destroyed .it burned right thru the windshield into the inside of dash .firemen were called .vehicle is destroyed.vehicle was parked in driveway .we were woken at 1:00 a.m yo our vehivhle fully engulfed in flames.

Filed Nov 4, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 102,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Apr 3, 2016 · Fuel system · 64,000 miles · CA

I noticed that my vehicle was smelling like gas. While the car was parked idling in a driveway I looked under the vehicle on the passenger side to check the fuel tank and noticed fuel dripping down the side of the tank from the top of the tank. I turned off the vehicle and the fuel stopped dripping which indicated to me that it was coming from the sending unit on the top of the tank. Also the tank was under half full. Upon checking online I found multiple recalls on other gm vehicles of the same year for the same problem. Also the 2007 torrent model was recalled for the same issue so I don't know why my model isn't since it is the same issue as everything else that has been recalled. This is my family's main vehicle and they could have been engulfed in flames at any time it scares me to think of this. Also my vehicle is under 65,000 miles. I want this to be seriously addressed and please let me know if there is anymore info that I can give. I appreciate any help

Filed Jan 27, 2016 · Seats · 111,411 miles · IL · fire

Daughter started her 2007 pontiac torrent that was parked, when putting kids in car, front passenger heated seat engulfed in flames. Leather seat burnt which put a film and smoke damage thru out car and kids car seats. Car was just purchased in nov 2015.

Filed Mar 20, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 130,000 miles · IL · fire

1. Key locks in ignition 2. Abs light, traction control, brakes warning light , airbag and stay on. . Brakes lock up ,tires roll wont stop, pulsation then brake pedal to floor. The lights stay on no gm mechanic can repair. 3. Clicking, tapping and burning smell coming from under dash and steering column. 4 .when it rains puddles on passenger side and driver on floor of car like the doors are not lined up with car. 5. High beam lights come on by themselves cant turn off drain battery electrical problem. 6. Steering locks in turn. Backend of vehicle not balanced rides sideways.at high speed. Im sure someone has lost a life in these defective vehicles if a study wa s done professionally from 2006 to 2015 . These defects would be the cause . I paid 20,000 for this vehicle no one can repair .that's why production was discontinued to prevent lawsuits. Vehicle should be recalled bought back from consumers and put out of circulation its dangerous.

Filed Dec 31, 2014 · Electrical · 79,000 miles · NV

One morning I go to leave for work and my car is dead. When roadside assistance provides a jump start, it's found that my high-beams were on. I did not leave any lights on. I could not get the high-beams to turn off until I pulled the turn signal/multifunction lever toward me and held it there. On 4 more occasions, this exact same incident occurred. My car was dead and required a jump start. The high-beams would not turn off unless I pulled the lever toward me and held it there. This issue is, not only draining my battery but damaging it. It's a huge inconvenience and leaves me stranded at times. Also, it's dangerous. I've smelled & noticed smoke coming from the lever and steering column. No repairs have been made yet. There should be a recall for this electrical malfunction.

Filed Dec 5, 2014 · Engine · 100,000 miles · LA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 pontiac torrent. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, an unknown odor was present in the vehicle. The contact noticed that there was fire coming from under the glove compartment and the vehicle became engulfed in flames. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Aug 4, 2014 · Steering · 105,615 miles · IL

As I was driving I saw smoke come from the steering column of my truck. Then again as I turned the key in the ignition I saw smoke coming from the steering column.

Filed Jul 19, 2014 · Steering · 105,789 miles · VA

While stopped at a stop light notice smoke coming from vehicle steering column. Smoked stooped while driving but occurred again as I inspected while being parked. Stopped after turning off ignition.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Pontiac Torrent fire or smoke

Which Pontiac Torrent years have fire, smoke or burning smell problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2006 (10 complaints), 2007 (3 complaints) and 2008 (2 complaints).

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