42 of the
922 complaints filed about the Pontiac Torrent
are about the braking system —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2006.
My car says service stabilitrak and my traction control light is still on whether I hit the button or not I just spent a grand for it to be fixed and it I’m still having the same issue my brakes will lock up or my wheel locks up uncontrollably I have almost gotten into numerous accidents because of it.
NHTSA complaint #11581066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'M DRIVING RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND I PRESS MY BRAKES TO STOP , AND TURN ON MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT. I NOTICED THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURN GREEN SO I ACCELERATE AND TURN LEFT. WHILE ACCELERATE GENTLY I'M TURNING LEFT I REALIZED MY LEFT TIRE FELT STUCK AND I HEARD AND LITTLE WEIRD NOISE. I PROCEED DRIVING STRAIGHT I PRESS THE BRAKES BECAUSE THERE WAS VEHICLE ENTERING BY TURNING RIGHT AND DRIVING STRAIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKESI CONTINUE DRIVING PRESSING THE GAS PETAL ACCELERATING TO 5 SPEED MY VEHICLE SLOW DOWN . I DECIDED TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE JUST DROVE VERY SLOW. I DECIDED TO MAKE A QUICK RIGHT ON THE APPROACHING STREET WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE STOP IT JUST FROZE. I WENT AHEAD AND LOOK AT THE DASHBOARD AND SEE AN CODE THAT'S SAYS STABILIZE TRAC AND OTHER CODES . I PARK THE VEHICLE AND TOOK THE KEYS OF THE KEY IGNITION AND INSERT THE KEYS BACK TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD STARTED SO , I DECIDED TO PARK THE CAR WHEN I DID PARK THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE END UP TURNING OFF . I WASN'T ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE ON. THE VEHICLE JUST WOULDN'T START ON. THERE IS A CODE STATING A STABILITY TRAK CODE ON THE DASHBOARD AND SOMETHING ABOUT THE BATTERY. I WAS VERY CONCERN BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER THAT'S 2YEARS OLD AND 11 MONTHS WAS WITH ME AND I HAD TO THINK FAST AND BE CAUTIOUS. I ENDS UP TOWING MY VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC. THIS IS MY RELIABLE VEHICLE FOR ME AN MY DAUGHTER . IF YOU CAN ASSIST ME WITH MY SITUATION I CAN BE REACH AT EMAIL: [XXX], OR CONTACT: [XXX]. SINCERELY [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11372506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN, IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON THEIR OWN. THE SERVICE STABILTRAK LIGHT BLINKS, STABILITRAK OFF, AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF FLASH. IT FEELS AS IF THE WHEELS DO NOT SLOW AT THE SAME TIME. THE VEHICLE MAKES AN AWFUL NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #11269958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #11256248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT (WHO WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC) STATED THAT THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) VALVE FAILED AND SHUT OFF THE ABS. ALSO, THE DISABLE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EGR VALVE FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE SHUT OFF THE ABS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE EGR VALVE AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11186906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW. THE ENTIRE YEAR I HAVE HAD THIS CRAPPY VEHICLE IT HAS DONE THIS. EVERY TIME I APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BREAKS IT PULSATES BACK AT ME AND MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO A FEW DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY ALL SAID IT WAS THE ABS SENSOR IN THE WHEEL HUB. SO I REPLACED THE WHEEL HUBS AND THAT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. IT STILL PULSATES AND GRINDS EVERY TIME I STOP. THE BREAK LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATE AFTER THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND VERY DANGEROUS. I LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND WITH THE SNOW AND ICE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVE A KIDS WHO I DRIVE AROUND IN THIS VEHICLE!! GM NEEDS TO RECALL THIS!
NHTSA complaint #11033042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. IT FIRST STARTED WITH MY CAR SLOWING DOWN, DIDN'T MATTER HOW HARD YOU PRESS THE GAS IT WILL NOT MOVE. THEN AFTER LETTING IT SET OF A MINUTE/COOLDOWN, IT WILL RIDE FOR A FEW MILES THEN COMPLETE STOP WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING. I NOTICE A HOT SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND STABILITRACK STATE THAT IT NEEDS SERVICE. WHEN I DRIVE IT THE BRAKES STOP THE CAR ON ITS OWN. I TOOK THE CAR TO GMC AND IT COST ME $1700 FOR THEM TO FIX BRAKE PRESSURE MODULE, BRAKE ELECTRIC CONTROL PANEL, I REPLACED HUB BEARINGS AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. SINCE THOSE THINGS WERE REPLACED, I CAN DRIVE A LITTLE LONGER WITHOUT THE HUB BEARINGS. I TOOK MY CAR TO GMC 3 TIMES. AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THEY SAID THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED, HOW WHEN IT WAS NEVER USED.
NHTSA complaint #11001434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 3 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THE VEHICLE THEN FAILED TO ACCELERATE AS THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTED THAT THE HOOD BEARINGS HAD MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE HOOD BEARINGS WERE REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE FIRE OR FIRE REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SITTON BUICK GMC 2640 LAURENS RD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607 WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO SITTON BUICK GMC WHERE THE DEALER WAS AGAIN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE RECURRED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO SITTON BUICK GMC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC MODULATOR HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO SITTON BUICK GMC WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
NHTSA complaint #11001546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CAR IS CLICKING, THE STABILITRAK AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON, ABS LIGHT COMES ON, LIGHTS FLICKER AND THE CAR STALLS. WHEN DRIVING THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT OR LOCKS UP MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. IT HAD BEEN CONTINUING UNTIL THE CAR HAS BEEN ON FOR 20 OR SO MINUTES BUT NOW IT'S GOING ON FOR LONGER. IT'S VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AROUND.
NHTSA complaint #10966297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,888.
NHTSA complaint #10944665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ABS ENGAGES AT LOW SPEED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT EVERY STOP. THIS INCREASES THE STOPPING DISTANCE CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. IT DOES THIS ON ALL ROAD CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10927764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10924191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10695530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON 09/26/11, I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALER ABOUT THE ABS AND TC LIGHT COMING ON IN THE CAR. I ALSO REPORTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TURNING OVER THE CAR AS THE CAR WOULD HESITATE AND STALL AT TIMES. IN REGARDS TO THE ABS ISSUE I REPORTED A HEARING A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND FEELING A VIBRATION ON THE BREAK PEDAL WHEN THE KNOCKING SOUND OCCURRED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THE ABS HUB AND SENSOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THE CAR WAS STILL SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE MEANTIME. THE COST TO REPLACE THE HUB WAS ESTIMATED AROUND $437 PLUS TAX. SINCE I WAS ALSO HAVING IGNITION STARTING PROBLEMS DURING THIS TIME, I DECIDED TO PAY FOR A CLEANING INDUCTION SERVICE RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALER TO HELP WITH THE IGNITION STARTING ISSUE IN THE AMOUNT OF $413.56. I WAS LATER INFORMED THE CLEANING OF THE UPPER INTAKE, VALVE, AND COMBUSTION AREA HAD NO REAL EFFECT ON MY VEHICLE STARTING BECAUSE ON 09/04/12 I REPORTED HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION. THE DEALER THEN DIAGNOSED THE REAL ISSUE, WHICH WAS REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS HAS LEFT THE ABS ISSUES STILL OCCURRING IN THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT OTHER PONTIAC TORRENTS HAVING THE SAME ABS AND TC ISSUES. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR REAL DEVASTATING EVENTS ON THE ROADWAYS AS THE ABS HUB AND SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO LOCK UP WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE. I WANT THIS CAR RECALLED FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ABS / TC ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10653879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SINCE APRIL 2014 I HAVE REPLACED BRAKE PADS, ROTORS & CALIPERS ON MY VEHICLE. THEY ARE NOW SHOT AGAIN & I'M LIVID!! I'VE TALKED TO OTHERS WHO HAVE OWNED A PONTIAC & APPARENTLY THIS SAME ISSUE HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS. BEEN TOLD IT HAS TO DO WITH THE ABS SYSTEM KEEPING CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE PADS & NOT RELEASING. I'M A SINGLE MOM AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. I NEED MY CAR FOR WORK, HAULING MY CHILD AROUND TO SCHOOL, ETC & IT'S NOT VERY REASSURING WHEN I SEE ON THE NEWS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 21 DEATHS DUE TO GM VEHICLES. HAVING BRAKE ISSUES WITH A CAR SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED ASAP.
NHTSA complaint #10638243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET COMING TO A STOP WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ANTI LOCK/ TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATED WHILE TRYING TO STOP. FOR A COUPLE SECONDS I WASN'T ABLE TO STOP AS IF THE CAR WAS PREVENTING THE WHEELS FROM LOCKING UP AS IT WOULD ON WET PAVEMENT BUT IT WASN'T WET AT ALL. THERE WAS PULSATION IN THE BREAK PEDAL PREVENTING ME PRESSING THE BREAK PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE VEHICLE WASN'T SLOWING DOWN AT ALL CAUSING ME TO ALMOST RUN INTO THE BACK OF A SCHOOL BUS. IT STILLS CONTINUES TODAY AFTER 2 VISITS TO THE DEALER SHIP AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL NEAR MISSES WITH THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10615759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN A BUS PULLED IN FRONT OF ME TO MAKE A LET TURN. I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND I ONLY GOT A PULSATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T SLOW DOWN UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE HIT THE SIDE OF THE BUS CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO BOTH THE VEHICLES. AFTER THE ACCIDENT I NOTICED THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. AFTER THAT ACCIDENT THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN DOING THE PULSATION AND INABILITY TO STOP. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES AND REPLACED WHEEL HUBS AND SPEED SENSORS AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND GM HAS DONE NOTHING!
NHTSA complaint #10615779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WHEN ENGAGING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROTORS, BRAKE PADS AND BRAKE FLUID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10598931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.