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.
Pontiac Torrent steering lock-up problems
14 of the 625 owner complaints about the Pontiac Torrent describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 14
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical mileage
- 117,000
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 pontiac torrent. While depressing the brake pedal, the steering wheel seized. In addition, the vehicle shook violently when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 194,152.
On 11/5/17 my 2007 pontiac steering locked and I was in a major car crash. The steering locked as I tried to leave a gas station after giving a stranded person a jump. I turned car off and back on and it was fine. Proceeded home and got on the highway, after driving about 45 minutes the steering locked again as I was changing lanes, I hit the back of a truck and my car lost control. My car went across lanes of on coming traffic and flipped and ran off the road.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 pontiac torrent. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized and was unable to turn left or right. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,153.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 pontiac torrent. While driving at approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The failure occurred on two occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
2006 pontiac torrent steering locked up and froze while backing up. *cw the consumer was informed the motor was defective, but was not covered under the recall
Got to work and when I put it in reverse the steering froze and acted like manual steering. Found out it has the defective electric steering motor that most of the gm's from 2005 - 2010 were recalled and fixed at no cost but they didn't put the torrent on that list even though they were having the same issues as witnessed from the complaints on the gm site of steering freezing on the highway with no way to turn or control the vehicles. They still did nothing to fix the problems and one persons torrent rolled over from the steering freezing and not being able to turn. I want to know why gm has not issued a recall for this on the pontiac torrent? Ours will cost us $1300 plus labor to fix it and it should never have come to this going bad but should have been repaired before we purchased it used. There is no excuse for putting people and their families in danger from this known issue by gm and they should be sued for endangering our kids and families by not recalling and fixing it.
My steering wheel locks up while driving, either when I'm making an attempt to turn or when I first turn on the car and go in reverse and turn the wheel and it locks up causing the inability to steer the car. This is not the first time this has happened, but the most recent. This has been happening as far back as 2009. It comes and goes. I took it to a gm dealership and paid $1,800 to replace the steering column in march 2014 and it just happened again. This is very dangerous and unfortunately I will have to get another car because it's not safe.
I felt the car shutter a little and then the steering locked up while driving home on the highway. Also, the stability/traction light stays on. My car only has 21000 miles on it and is still practically new.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Pontiac Torrent steering lock-up
Which Pontiac Torrent years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (7 complaints), 2007 (5 complaints) and 2008 (1 complaints).
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