2006 Pontiac Torrent Complaint Log

2006 PONTIAC TORRENT - HEAT STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING - ONLY COLD AIR BLOWING FROM HEATER AND DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER. BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD COOLANT, HEATER CORE, FUSES AND THERMOSTAT CHECKED - ALL FINE. TOLD THE PROBLEM IS THE "BLEND DOOR" INSIDE THE DASH AND IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $1000 IN LABOR SINCE THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDS TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER FOR THE PART TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE WITHOUT HEAT, THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD OR DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS, AFFECTING VISIBILITY. AFTER READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE I REALLY THINK A RECALL IS IN ORDER HERE. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL "WEAR AND TEAR" ISSUE, AND IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW AND FAULTY PARTS, PLEASE HELP. *TR

HEAT WENT OUT WITH OUT WARNING. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE FOUND IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE ACTUATOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE BROKEN SHAFT ON THE BLEND DOOR. THE ACTUATOR HAD ROTATED TOO FAR, BEYOND ITS LIMITS, AND OVERPOWERED THE PLASTIC SHAFT ON THE DOOR. THIS ACTUATOR ISN'T JUST A SIMPLE MOTOR. AS YOU KNOW, AN ELECTRIC MOTOR SPINS WHEN POWER IS APPLIED. THE ACTUATOR IS A SMALL ELECTRIC MOTOR CONNECTED TO A GEAR-REDUCTION UNIT, WITH A POSITION-SENSING DEVICE THAT IS MONITORED BY THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM), WHICH IS A COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS A BUNCH OF STUFF NOT RELATED TO THE ENGINE OR POWERTRAIN. WHEN THE POSITION SENSOR INDICATES THAT THE ACTUATOR IS AT THE END OF ITS RANGE OF TRAVEL, THE BCM SHUTS OFF POWER TO THE MOTOR. THE OUTPUT SHAFT ON THE ACTUATOR SHOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO REACH THE DEGREE OF ROTATION THAT IS SHOWN ABOVE. WHY DID THAT HAPPEN? DID THE BCM MALFUNCTION AND APPLY POWER TOO LONG? I DOUBT IT... BECAUSE ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS ARE LESS LIKELY TO MALFUNCTION THAN ELECTRO-MECHANICAL DEVICES. I'M GOING TO HAVE TO ASSUME THAT THE ACTUATOR IS FAULTY... THAT THE POSITION-SENSING DEVICE (PROBABLY JUST A VARIABLE RESISTOR) DEVELOPED AN OPEN CIRCUIT, OR AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT, OR SOMETHING. THIS KIND OF PROBLEM BUGS ME (AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE) BECAUSE GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL TO FIX WHAT CAN BE A SAFETY PROBLEM... NO HEAT MEANS YOU CAN'T DEFROST OR DE-FOG YOUR WINDSHIELD. WHAT'S WORSE... GM HAS NOT EVEN ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ABOUT THIS PROBLEM TO ADVISE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ABOUT THE HOW'S AND WHY'S OF THIS MALFUNCTION. SO I'M A BIT CONCERNED THAT THE NEW ACTUATOR MIGHT MALFUNCTION JUST LIKE THE FIRST ONE. IF GM HAD ISSUED A TSB, I'D BE ASSURED THAT THE ENGINEERS HAD SOLVED THE FAULTY ACTUATOR PROBLEM, AND THAT ALL THE REPLACEMENT PARTS HAD BEEN REVISED AND IMPROVED, AND THE HEAT WOULD WORK JUST FINE FOR YEARS TO COME. BUT I DON'T HAVE THAT CONFIDENCE. RECALL NEEDED. DANGEROUS. *TR

WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I SET MY CRUISE CONTROL AND AFTER DRIVING A LITTLE WHILE IT RESET CAUSING ME TO SLOW DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE SECOND IS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START MY VEHICLE IT WOULDN'T CRANK CAUSING ME TO ATTEMPT TWO OR THREE MORE TIMES BEFORE IT WAS SUCCESSFUL. I TOOK IT TOO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. THIRD I WOKE UP SUNDAY MORNING AND I HAD NO HEAT IN MY TRUCK THE HEATER IS BLOWING COOL AIR I WAS TOLD THAT WAS THE BLEND BOX. AND WHEN I WENT TO FILL UP MY GAS TANK THIS MORNING THE FUEL METER STOPPED AT 3/4 OF A TANK WHEN I KNOW IT IS ON A FULL TANK. I HAVE NOT REPLACED ANY PARTS AT THIS TIME BECAUSE I AM AWARE IT WILL COST SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX THE BLEND BOX. *TR

2006 PONTIAC TORRENT; LOSS OF HEATING SYSTEM; NO DE-ICE OR DEFROST CAPABILITY; $1200 REPAIR COST...FAILURE OF AIR TEMP BLEND DOOR ASSEMBLY. *TR

MY 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT HAS 28,100 MILES. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO TURN THE DEFROSTER ON FOR THE WINDSHIELD WHEN ALL I GOT WAS COLD AIR. IT DID NOT GIVE A WARNING AT ALL. I INVESTIGATED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT SEEMS THAT THE TEMPERATURE DOOR HAS BROKEN INSIDE THE DASH WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD WHICH I FEEL IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD TO MY FAMILY AND I. THE PART TO REPLACE IS UNDER $100 BUT THE LABOR MAKES THE ENTIRE REPAIR OVER $800. I REALLY FEEL THAT A TEMPERATURE DOOR IS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A PART DEFECT THAN WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE IS HARDLY DRIVEN AND AS A FORMER GM EMPLOYEE, I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE EXPECTING THE BEST QUALITY FROM MY FORMER EMPLOYER. PLEASE HELP ME BECAUSE IN THESE HARD TIMES, THE REGULAR CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY TO SPEND ON THOSE TYPE OF VEHICLE DEFECTS. THANKS *LN

WHEN CAR IS RUNNING, OR EVEN IN MOTION I AM ABLE TO PULL THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. YOU HAVE TO TURN YOUR STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH AND SO ON TO EVEN GET THE RADIO TO COME ON AT INITIAL START UP. TURNING THE KEY OFF AND ON AND HOPEFULLY NOT LOCK UP THE COLUMN TO THE POINT I AM UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY ON. THE SCARY THING IS BEING ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING AND NOT IN THE OFF POSITION. THE COLD HOT SWITCH ON THE PANEL HAS TO BE TURNED VERY SLOWLY OR IT WILL NOT TURN TO AIR CONDITIONING. IF YOU DO IT TO QUICKLY, IT ACTS AS IF IT IS STILL IN THE RED POSITION. THE DEALERSHIP HAD ALREADY REPLACED THIS ISSUE WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN DEC. 2010 USED 2ND OWNERS WITH ONLY 90,000 MILES ON IT NOW. HAD ISSUES WITH THE RADIO SINCE PURCHASE DATE, THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE, BUT CONTINUED TO GET WORST TO THE POINT OF JUST PULLING THE KEYS OUT WHILE RUNNING. THE SPEED CONTROL ALSO SHUTS OFF AND DOES NOT MAINTAIN WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT HOLDS FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES AND JUST SHUTS OFF. THE SPEED CONTAIN ICON STILL SHOWS ON BUT IT LOSES POWER AND DOES NOT WORK. YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF AND ON SPEED CONTROL CONSTANTLY. SO LETS SAY ITS NOT USED SO MUCH ANYMORE.

THE HEATED SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BURNT A HOLE THROUGH THE UPHOLSTERY AND BURNT A HOLE IN MY WIFE'S COAT. THE HEATED SEAT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BURNT A HOLE THROUGH THE UPHOLSTERY AND BURNT A HOLE IN MY COAT. BOTH HEATED SEATS BURNT HOLES THROUGH THE UPHOLSTERY AND THERE ARE CURRENTLY EXPOSED WIRES. IT RUINED OUR COATS AS WELL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS WATER ON THE FLOOR OF THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE SEAT. THE WATER WAS COMING IN THROUGH THE DASH BOARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

I OWN A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT WHICH THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A MONTH OR SO AGO. I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND TURNED MY HEATER ON AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS BLOWING COLD AIR. MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST $1000 OR MORE TO REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AROUND WITH NO HEAT AND CANNOT USE MY DEFROST DUE TO HEAT FAILURE WHICH OBSTRUCTS MY VISION WHEN DRIVING. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL DUE TO THE VAST AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF MY VEHICLE CAN BE RETURNED FOR FULL REFUND IN ORDER TO GET ONE WITH LESS SEVERE HEATING PROBLEMS. *TR

I OWN A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT WHICH HEAT WENT OUT ABOUT A MONTH AGO. SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENTS WERE DONE ON MY VEHICLE AND ALL THREE CAME UP WITH SAME DIAGNOSTIC. I WAS TOLD THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BLEND BOX AND IT WOULD COST $1000 OR MORE TO BE REPAIRED. I ALSO CONTACTED GM AND THEY REFUSED TO ASSIST ME. I DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON 2006 PONTIAC TORRENTS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THIS VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES. WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING IN FOG OR BAD WEATHER THE FOGGER DOES NOT WORK DUE TO HEATER NOT WORKING WHICH IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE IT OBSTRUCTS YOUR VIEW AND CAUSE YOU NOT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY WHICH COULD MEAN INCREASED ACCIDENTS AS WELL AS DEATHS.

WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT, MY DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE SEAT WAS TURNED ON AND BEGAN GETTING HOTTER THAN USUAL. I BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING. I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT PULL OVER, SO I STUCK MY HAT BEHIND MY BACK DUE TO THE HIGH TEMPERATURE. ALTHOUGH I TURNED OFF THE SEAT I STILL SMELLED BURNING AND THE SEAT WAS STILL HOT. WHEN I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY, I SAW THAT THERE WAS A WHOLE BURNED INTO THE SEAT AND MY HAT WAS SMOKING AND HAD A WOULD AS WELL. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MY BACK. *TR

HEATER BLEND DOOR BROKE, SO THERE IS NO HEAT. THIS IS CAUSED BY THE ACTUATOR OVER EXTENDING ITS CYCLE AND IT BREAKS THE VALVE DOOR. GM HASNT REDESIGNED THIS NOR DO THEY WANT TO TAKE ANY ACTION FOR IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN TO DRIVE WITH NO HEAT. AVE COST IS AROUND $1200 TO FIX AND THE PART IS $40.00. IT REQUIRES YOUR ENTIRE DASH TO BE REMOVED AND THE BLOWER PULLED OUT TO FIX THE DOOR. PEOPLE NEED TO GET ON GM'S CASE AND THIS WEBSITES CASE IN ORDER FOR THEM TO FIX THIS. THERE IS ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE WEATHER ITS A EQUINOX OR A TORRENT.THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT NOT THE CUSTOMER. IT IS BAD ENOUGH IT COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLAR STO FIX ONTOP OF YOUR CAR NOTE. *TR

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 $1200.00 BECAUSE OF HOW HARD IT IS TO GET TO THE PART. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL! *TR

THE BLEND DOOR FOR HEATER IS BROKEN AND ONLY COLD AIR IS ALLOWED TO FLOW THROUGH. THIS HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED TO BREAK IN MANY TORRENTS. THE DOOR IS DESIGNED TO ONLY MOVE 60 DEGREES BUT THE ACTUATOR IS DESIGNED TO MOVE 180 DEGREES CAUSING THE DOOR TO BREAK. WHEN I CALLED TO TALK TO SEVERAL BODY SHOPS TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE, THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THIS HAPPENS IN MANY TORRENTS AND GM WILL NOT RECALL THE PART AND IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO GET IT FIXED WHICH COULD COST ME BETWEEN $1000 AND $1500 FOR LABOR AND PARTS. *TR

WE OWN A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT WHICH HAS ABSOLUTELY NO DEFROST OR DEFOGGING SYSTEM THAT WILL KICK IN. MILEAGE IS 63,000. NO WARNING OF THIS PROBLEM, JUST QUIT WORKING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER OR DAMP AND FOGGY WEATHER. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AS OF RIGHT NOW TO CORRECT AS I SEE OTHERS ARE AFFECTED. *TR

THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING AND COLD AIR BLOWS THROUGH THE VENTS. *TR

NO WARNING. HEAT WENT OUT ON 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. HEAT BLEND DOOR IS BROKE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF AROUND $800 TO $1,000. GM REFUSES TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT AS VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. PART IS $55 TO $65 AND INTENSIVE LABOR CHARGES AROUND $1,000 (8 HOURS). THE AVERAGE AMERICAN CANNOT AFFORD THIS TYPE OF REPAIR. FOUND ON INTERNET, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS INCLUDES CHEVY EQUINOX'S. *TR

I HAD BEEN TO A TOWN THAT WAS APPROX 30 MILES FROM MY HOME TO TAKE CARE OF SOME ERRANDS. I RETURNED BACK TO MY HOMETOWN AND STOPPED BY A STORE TO GRAB A COUPLE OF THINGS BEFORE HEADING TO WORK. I THEN RETURNED TO MY CAR AND PROCEEDED TO CRANK IT AND DRIVE OFF BUT WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO TAKE OFF I COULD NOT TURN MY STEERING WHEEL BUT MAYBE AN INCH OR TWO. I CALLED MY DAD TO COME AND CHECK IT BECAUSE HE IS A MECHANIC AND HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. AFTER IT BEING SHUT OFF FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES HE CRANK IT UP AND THE STEERING WHEEL THEN WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED BUT I WORK NIGHTS SO I DO NOT NEED TO BE STRANDED IN A DARK PARKING LOT. I HAVE ONLY HAD MY CAR FOR A YEAR. I BOUGHT IT USED BUT IT HAS NOT GIVEN ME ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL NOW. IT HAS AROUND 40,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

2006 PONTIAC TORRENT DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING REAR COLLISION. WIRES IN DRIVERS DOOR WERE BROKEN WHICH SEEMS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. NOT SURE IF THESE WIRES CONTROL AIRBAG OR NOT BUT POWER WINDOWS AND DOORS STOPPED WORKING, VARIOUS DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF AT VARIOUS TIMES. THE WIRING HARNESS APPEARS TO BE INSTALLED TOO TIGHTLY CAUSING THE WIRES TO STRETCH WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED AND CLOSED. GOOGLE "2006 PONTIAC TORRENT WIRING HARNESS" TO FIND THAT THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON. *TR

DEFROSTER DOES NOT BLOW HOT AIR OUT. WINDSHILED WILL NOT DEFROST. *TR

I OWN A 06 PONTIAC TORRENT AND JUST RECENTLY THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER QUIT WORKING. AFTER HAVING IT DIAGNOSED I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEATER BLEND DOOR WAS BROKEN AND IT WOULD COST AROUND $1000 TO BE FIXED. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF TORRENT OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AS WELL AS CHEVROLET EQUINOX OWNERS. THIS IS A SERIOUS VISIBILITY ISSUE, WITH NO WAY TO CLEAR OUR WINDOWS OF FOG AND FROST IN THESE COLDER MONTHS. ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY DEATHS OR INJURIES RESULTING FROM THIS OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW, I BELIEVE IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME. PLEASE HELP!!!! *TR

2006 PONTIAC TORRENT, 33,350 MILES. HEAT STOPPED WORKING. TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BROKEN AIR BLEND DOOR. PART COST AROUND $65. COST TO REPAIR, APPROXIMATELY $1000.00. MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD NEEDS TO BE REMOVED TO REPAIR THIS "CHEAP PART". THE MAJORITY OF THE COST IS LABOR. COULD NOT SEE OUT OF MY WINDOWS THIS MORNING BECAUSE THE DEFROST IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. GM SHOULD HAVE A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS PART. IN DOING RESEARCH, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GENERAL MOTORS. THE DEALER WILL NOT REDUCE THE COST OF THIS REPAIR BECAUSE OF THE LABOR INVOLVED. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. PEOPLE NEED HEAT IN THEIR CAR AND THEY ALSO NEED A PROPER DEFROST SYSTEM. MANY PEOPLE, MYSELF INCLUDED CAN NOT AFFORD A $1000. REPAIR BILL ON A "CHEAP PART" WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL NOT BREAK AGAIN. *TR

STARTED CAR ON A 20 DEGREE MORNING, AND DISCOVERED THE HEATER WOULD ONLY BLOW COLD AIR. NO HEAT NO DEFROST. AFTER CONTACTING OUR GM DEALERS SERVICE DEPT., WE DISCOVERED THERE IS AN ELECTRIC MOTOR THAT CONTROLS THE (AIR TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR) THAT FREQUENTLY MALFUNCTIONS AND OPENS THE BLEND DOOR BEYOND IT'S LIMITS AND BREAKS THE PLASTIC PINS. THE DOOR THEN NO LONGER OPENS,AND OF COURSE NO HEAT. THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN COLDER WEATHER UNTIL THIS IS REPAIRED TO THE TUNE OF $1100.00 TO $1500.00. THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD AND ALL COMPONENTS HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO ACCESS THIS $55.00 PART. GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECTIVE ACTUATOR (ELECTRIC MOTOR) AND THE LABOR TO REPLACE IT AS IT HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES (YOU CAN FIND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET) AND IT IS A HAZARD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH WHEN SHE ACTIVATED THE HEATER AND IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE AIR BLEND DOOR HAD FRACTURED AND POSSIBLY THE MOTOR. IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE FAILURE, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WOULD NEED TO0 BE REMOVED. IN ADDITION, THE DEFROSTER WAS INOPERABLE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER PER THE MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTION AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE MECHANIC'S FINDINGS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WAS NOT AUTHORIZED BY THE MANUFACTURER AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,675. UPDATED 02/03/11*LJ UPDATED 02/14/11

THE HEAT BLEND DOOR ON MY 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT WITH 79,953. MILES ON IT FAILED ON OCTOBER 7, 2010. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS THE PROBLEM BY RESEARCHING THE INTERNET. I FOUND THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH BOTH THE CHEVY EQUINOX & PONTIAC TORRENT, WHICH IS WHAT I OWN. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND AT FIRST HE WAS HESITANT ABOUT TALKING ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WHAT IT MAY COST AND THEN AFTER BEING PUT ON HOLD FOR SHORT WHILE HE SUDDENLY CAME UP WITH AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $ 1,000 FOR LABOR, PARTS WOULD BE EXTRA WHICH MEANS THE REAL COST WITH TAX & PARTS IS MORE LIKE $ 1,300.00. NOW IT SEEMS TO ME THAT GM SHOULD OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM AND AT THE VERY LEAST OFFER A PARTIAL SETTLEMENT BASED ON EACH CASE BECAUSE JUST ONE LAWSUIT WILL CERTAINLY COST MUCH MORE THAN THAT. IT APPEARS THAT NOT ONLY THE BLEND DOOR IS A PROBLEM, BUT ALSO THE ACTUATOR MOTOR WHICH OPERATES THE DOOR SEEMS TO BE AT FAULT BY JUMPING A FEW GEAR TEETH INSIDE THE SEALED CASE. THERE IS A WEBSITE WHERE THIS PROBLEM, REPAIR IS DOCUMENTED WITH DESCRIPTIONS AND PHOTOS OF THE JOB/PROBLEM FROM START TO FINISH. WWW.HANDYMANLYNESS.COM IS THE WEBSITE. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SHOULD NOT BE OUT OF THE QUESTION. *TR

NO HEAT IN VEHICLE. ONLY BLOWING COLD AIR. HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS CAUSING ME TO BE UNABLE TO DEFROST MY WINDSHIELD AT ALL. IT FROSTS UP AND OBSTRUCTS MY VIEW WHILE I'M DRIVING MY CAR. SO FAR EVERYTHING I'VE HAD DONE HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. HAD THERMOSTAT REPLACED, HEATER CORE CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES, COOLANT FLUSHED. STILL NO HEAT. *TR

THE HEATER HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE MECHANIC SAYS THE DOOR ROD HAS EITHER BROKEN OR THE MOTOR HAS GONE BAD. MORE THAN 200 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS MALFUNCTION IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL VEHICLE HAVE BEEN REPORTED. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED UNDER THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103 - WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS - PASSENGER CARS, MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES, TRUCKS, AND BUSES (EFFECTIVE 1-1-88). THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES REQUIREMENTS FOR WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS. THIS IS NOT RANDOM IN ANY WAY. I THINK WE AS CONSUMERS SHOULD BAND TOGETHER AND FORM A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAIN THE MAKER OF THIS VEHICLE. I WILL BE IN CONTACT!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING; HOWEVER, THE AIR CONDITIONER CONTINUED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ACTUATOR DOOR ALSO FAILED WHICH WAS PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM GENERATING AIR TO HEAT. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84300.

EXPERIENCED NO HEAT; FAN WORKED. NO HEAT MEANS YOU CAN'T DEFROST OR DE-FOG YOUR WINDSHIELD. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. FROM INVOICE -- "TEMP ACTUATOR OUT OF PARAMETER. BROKEN TEMP DOOR...TEMP DOOR DOES NOT MOVE...DEFECTIVE TEMP ACTUATOR. DOES NOT RESPOND....R&R TEMP ACTUATOR. FOUND END OF TEMP DOOR BROKEN OFF. TEMP ACTUATOR OUT OF PARAMETER DUE TO BROKEN DOOR. NEED TEMP DOOR....RE-PLACED TEMP DOOR AND TEMP ACTUATOR AS NEEDED." COST INCLUDING LABOR & PARTS ~$1550. GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE GM HAS NOT EVEN ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ABOUT THIS PROBLEM TO ADVISE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ABOUT THE HOW'S AND WHY'S OF THIS MALFUNCTION.

I HAD VISITED THE LOCAL DEALER,CHEVROLET CASTRIOTA IN PORT RICHEY FLORIDA FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 18 MONTHS AGAIN. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AT MY COST ,NOT UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY 24 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW AND AGAIN TODAY 18 MONTHS LATER. LOOKS LIKE A PATTERN OF THESE BATTERIES LASTING 1- 2 YEARS. MY ACDELCO BATTERY ON MY PONTIAC TORRENT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE SECOND BATTERY OUT OF POCKET SINCE THE ORIGINAL BATTERY ONLY CARRIES LIMITED WARRANTY....EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERY IS NOW COVERED ,THE LABOR EACH INCIDENT IS NOT. SO EACH TIME IM IN ITS COSTING MONEY...WHAT A RACKET....THERE'S ALWAYS HAVE BEEN HISTORY OF PROBLEMS WITH THE ACDELCO BATTERIES...I HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH ACDELCO OVER 10 YEARS AGO WITH OTHER VEHICLES BUT EXPECTED THEM TO BE RESOLVED BY KNOW.BUT WE ARE GUARANTEED TO VISIT THE DEALER AND PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A PRODUCT THAT CARRIES 5 YEAR WARRANTY BUT LASTS 1-2 YEARS WITH LABOR CHARGES.....,AMAZING....WHERE'S THE CLASS ACTION GURU'S WHEN YOU NEED THEM..HEEE. *TR

THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING ON MY 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT, COLD AIR COMES OUT OF THE VENTS HOWEVER REGARDLESS OF THE SETTING HOT/WARM AIR DOES NOT COME OUT. I LIVE IN A REGION OF THE COUNTRY WHERE IT IS ESSENTIAL TO BE ABLE TO USE THE DEFROST AND THE HEATER. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WERE TOLD THAT IT WOULD TAKE UPWARDS OF $1000 DOLLARS TO FIX AND 6-8 HOURS OF LABOR, THE ACTUAL PART IS UNDER $100. THE WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER IT ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS GONE OVER THE MILEAGE ALLOTTED BY THE MANUFACTURER HOWEVER I DON'T FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A FACTOR FOR THE HEATER AS THE NUMBER OF MILES DRIVEN DOES NOT AFFECT THE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM. I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE PART AND PAYING FOR LABOR ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT IN BOTH THE TORRENT AND THE EQUINOX. THE AMOUNT ALONE IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT MANY AMERICANS DON'T HAVE. *TR

2006 PONTIAC TORRENT ELECTRONIC STEERING ISSUES. CAR WAS STARTED PUT INTO REVERSE BUT THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND STEERING WAS BACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THIS PAST YEAR. ALSO WHEN MAKING TIGHT TURNS STEERING IS HARD TO TURN BACK THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. FEEL SOMETHING IS FAILING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND RIDING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD THERE WOULD BE A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE CORNER OF THE RIGHT FRONT INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 09/15/11*LJ UPDATED 09/23/11*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE CONTACT CHANGED THE DEFROSTER TO HEAT; HOWEVER, IT FAILED TO FUNCTION. HE STATED THAT THE BLEND DOOR FOR THE HEAT ON THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED SINCE THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE REPAIRS WERE BETWEEN $1200 AND $1500. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 10/13/10*BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER SEVERAL CALLS TO GM THE BLEND DOOR WAS REPLACED AND THE COST WAS SPLIT BETWEEN GM AND THE CONSUMER. UPDATED 10/14/10

I HAD 2 WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED WITH 3 MONTHS OF ONE ANOTHER AND THEN THE HEATER DIED. JUST BLOWS COLD AIR - TOLD IT WAS THE BLEND DOOR AND WOULD COST $1200 TO FIX - WHICH I DO NOT HAVE. NO DEFROST EITHER - DEFINITE HAZARD. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN THIS VEHICLE AND GM IS NOT WILLING TO FIX. MY CAR HAS 78,000 MILES CURRENTLY - *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO HEAT BLOWING FROM THE VENTS ONLY COLD AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY BOTH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THEY BOTH INFORMED HER THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE HEATER DOOR. THE HEATER DOOR WAS REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I WENT THROUGH A CAR WASH AND WATER POURED OUT OF THE READING LIGHTS AND ALSO ON TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOORS. MY TORRENT WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN I PUT IT INTO DRIVE. EVENTUALLY, AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES, IT WOULD GO FORWARD A LITTLE BIT IF I PUT THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND HELD IT FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE. EVERY TIME I STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT, THE TORRENT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS - UNTIL I HELD THE PEDAL DOWN FOR A LONG TIME AND THEN IT WOULD CREEP FORWARD SLOWLY. I CANNOT GO THROUGH CAR WASHES ANY LONGER. THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEAT WORK INTERMITTENTLY - SOMETIMES JUST FINE, SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL - DEPENDS ON THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IT SEEMS. I DO NOT GET ANY WARM AIR WHEN THE DEFROST IS ON.

THE POWER STEERING IS GOING OUT INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS NO WARNING,NO LIGHT,NOTHING. *TR

2006 PONTIAC TORRENT HEATER STOPPED WORKING, A/C STILL WORKS OK. *TR

MY SUNROOF DRAINS CLOGS REPEATEDLY WHICH CAUSES ANKLE DEEP WATER TO PUDDLE INSIDE. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FROM WORK LAST MONTH BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AFTER RAIN LEAKED EVERYWHERE. IN ADDITION I HAD TO BUM A RIDE TO WORK BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE DUE TO THE FACT IT WAS WET FROM THE RAIN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON CAUSING MY CAR TO LOSE SPEED. ALTHOUGH PEDAL IS PUSH ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FLOOR IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE. I WOULD HATE TO BE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AND LOSE SPEED DURING RUSH HOUR. *TR

I HAVE A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT AND NOW HAVE NO HEAT. AC WORKS FINE BUT NO HEATER. IF THIS WAS TO HAPPEN IN THE WINTER IT WOULD BE A EXTREMELY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. DOING SOME SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET THERE ARE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW CAN THIS SITUATION BECOME A RECALL TO GM ? *TR

HEATER DOOR FAILED, NO HEAT...COST OF REPAIR OVER $1500. *TR

APRIL 15TH, 2010 OUR IGNITION WOULDN'T KICK OVER. IT WOULD TAKE MORE THAN THREE TIMES TO KICK OVER. I TRIED CONDITIONING THE SPARK PLUG AND IT DIDN'T HELP. (WE JUST LIVED WITH THE PROBLEM) JUNE 2011 WE HAD OUR FIRST ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. THE RADIO WAS THE FIRST TO GO IN MAY. THEN IN JULY OUR A/C STOPPED WORKING, AND ALL WE HAD LEFT WAS OUR HEAT. WE WERE ABLE TO FIX THE A/C, BUT IT DIDN'T LAST VERY LONG. WE THEN LOST A/C AGAIN AND OUR RADIO STARTED WORKING IN AUGUST(2011). SHORTLY AFTER THE RADIO STARTED WORKING WE LOST HEAT. NOW WE HAVE ONLY THE RADIO THAT WORKS. WE CANNOT SEE ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE HEAT NOT WORKING. THE VISIBILITY IS COMPLETELY HORRIBLE! I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT IT WOULD COST US 1,500 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT! WE HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR TWO YEARS YET AND IT'S STATING TO BREAK DOWN! THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE!!! *TR

2006 HEATER NO HEAT- AIR TEMP DOOR BROKEN- NO GM HELP AS RECALLS GOES. GOT TO HAVE HEAT TO CLEAN WINDSHIELD IN WINTER. COST OUT OF SIGHT TO FIX. TO ME THIS SHOULD BE A SAFTY RECALL.

THE WAS NO WARNING LEADING UP THE INCIDENT, WHICH CAN BE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IN COLD WEATHER. THE 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT HEATING & A/C ACTUATOR AND BLEND DOOR HAS BROKEN CAUSING ONLY COLD AIR TO FLOW THROUGH THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE MANY SERVICE WARNING NOTIFICATIONS THAT HAVE PUBLISHED ON THIS ISSUE. THE ONLY ANSWER THAT I HAVE RECEIVED FROM PONTIAC IS THAT IT IS VERY LABOR INTENSIVE TO FIX (8-9 HOURS LABOR). THIS PART IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD SINCE THERE IS NO WARNING SIGNS THAT WILL INDICATE THAT THESE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A COLDER EVENING, WHEN THE HEAT STOPPED WORKING, CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO FOG AND OBSTRUCT MY VISION OF THE ROADWAY. THUS NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAD A SERVICE CENTER LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM AND NOTIFIED ME OF THE MULTITUDE OF SERVICE WARNINGS ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE. *TR

HEATER SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING IN 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND STATED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AS WELL AS THE ROTORS. ALSO THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS BLOWING OUT COLD AIR. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

DRIVING APPROX. 45 MPH DOWN 4 LANE HIGHWAY IN THE LEFT LANE. ENGINE STOPPED AND LOST ALL STEERING & BRAKING CONTROL. ABLE TO COAST TO A DITCH ON SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURNED THE VEHICLE TO OFF POSITION IN IGNITION SWITCH THEN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHICLE. AFTER 3-4 CRANKING ATTEMPTS, CAR STARTED. WENT STRAIGHT TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON. SECOND OCCASION- DRIVING APPROX. 25 MPH DOWN 2 LANE ROAD. BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN TO TURN LEFT- ENGINE STOPPED AND LOST ALL STEERING & BRAKING CONTROL. ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURNED THE VEHICLE TO OFF POSITION IN IGNITION SWITCH THEN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHICLE. CAR STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. WENT TO NEAREST SERVICE STORE AND ONCE AGAIN WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING APPEARED TO BE WRONG BECAUSE THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON. TAKES MULTIPLE CRANKING ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE ON A DAILY BASIS. NO PATTERN TO WHEN. COULD BE IN THE AM, PM, MIDDLE OF THE DAY, HOT, COLD, WARM, RAINING, SNOWING, SUNNY, CLOUDY. *TR

I HAVE A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING ON A TRIP HOME FOR FLORIDA. WE LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA, SO IT IS VERY COLD HERE NOW. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND THAT IT IS A TEMPERATURE DOOR THAT IS BROKEN. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, AND HE CONFIRMED THIS. IT IS AN 8 HR JOB TO FIX BECAUSE YOU MUST REMOVE THE ENTIRE DASH TO GET AT THIS LITTLE $50 PART. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE MODELS, AND I THINK THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. IT REALLY SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN ON THE 2006 MODEL YEAR, SO IT IS LIKE THE PLASTIC IS WEAK OR SOMETHING. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TYPE IN INTERNET SEARCH, AND SAY NO HEAT ON 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT, AND YOU WILL SEE IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. *TR

NO HEAT IN CAR. 97,000 KMS . THE DEALER STATES THE VEHICLE NEEDS AN ACTUATOR, VLV DOOR, AND THERMOSTAT 250.0$ IN PARTS BUT 990.00$ IN LABOR. WE LIVE IN ONTARIO THE WARMEST PART OF CANADA. QUESTIONING IN THAT IN 3 1/2 YEARS WE HAVE USED THIS ENOUGH TO CAUSE THIS KIND OF DAMAGE. WE ARE NOT TAKING REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR. *TR