2006 Pontiac Torrent Consumer Reviews

Ask the dealer

Written by: Leann Bell on 10/02/2009

Vehicle

2006 Pontiac Torrent 4dr SUV AWD (3.4L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Ive had my Torrent for some time now no big problems so far lots of little ones had it serviced the mechanic left radiator cap off over heated on a trip. I asked the dealership how to verify that AWD is operational, said to take it out put it in mud and try to see if it works, GM can't answer this question either. Worried about wheel bearings. Not good work from dealer shop.

Favorite Features

Good room, good looks, power

Suggested Improvements

Air leaks, E Brake handle location, window control location, cheap interior, OEM tires junk

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Very Good SUV

Written by: JJSE on 09/05/2009

Vehicle

2006 Pontiac Torrent 4dr SUV AWD (3.4L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Have had the car for 3+ years. No reliability issues. Still driving on the original tires, brakes and wheel bearings. Just drove from Denver to St Louis with ave mileage of 24-25 mpg. Very good in snow. Peppy around town but not as much fun to drive as my Honda Accord. Love the interior room and cargo capacity. Can haul more than a Jeep Commander.

Favorite Features

V6 and 5 spd auto. Interior room

Suggested Improvements

Hooks for shopping bags in cargo area. Very thick A pillars.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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WORST CAR IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!

Written by: theoldboot65 on 08/29/2009

Vehicle

2006 Pontiac Torrent 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 5A)

Review

Black 2006 Pontiac Torrent, one yr old paint chips off under side mirrors, three years old, on 4 set of brakes, new rear wheel bearings, and backing plates, air conditioning takes a powder. 4 years old, paint on lift gate begins to chip, on rear pass. wheel well chips, paint on hood chips and paint INSIDE drivers side pass. door all chips off--GM says this is just wear and tear, can't help us-- dealer going to do 50 -50 split on new paint job! 2 more sets of brakes, one last week and are squealing again!!! It's no wonder that GM is in trouble....no more Torrents for me, nor any other type of this make of vehicle EVER!

Favorite Features

the day I finally get to sell the thing...not one good thing about it!

Suggested Improvements

I suggest they scrap the idea and begin again. There isn't any other Torrent, that I will bet, that has had as many problems as I've had with mine...it's definitely a Monday or Friday made car.

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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It's been pricey

Written by: jva on 07/07/2009

Vehicle

2006 Pontiac Torrent 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 5A)

Review

While I enjoy driving this vehicle, its look and comfortable interior, it has been very pricey to maintain this lease. First two wheel bearings changed were covered under the lease at 20,000 kms. Remaining 4 on all tires were not. Have just begun to hear that familiar humming once again that signals another $350 out of my pocket. The alternator went at 72,000 km for the cost of $1,000, tires were replaced around the same time, along with rotors and brakes. This spring, the paint began chipping on the drivers side and back and so the whole vehicle will need a paint job.

Favorite Features

Enjoyable to drive, good looks.

Suggested Improvements

Figure out what is wrong with the wheel bearings.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Not bad, not bad at all.

Written by: Uncle on 06/12/2009

Vehicle

2006 Pontiac Torrent 4dr SUV AWD (3.4L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I must have a good one. In 4 years I haven't had any major issues. The one thing I didn't like was the standard equipment tires wore out very quickly. I was lucky to get 15,000 miles out of them. Other than that, it's been a good vehicle.

Favorite Features

I like the sunroof, the steering wheel mounted sound controls, the stereo itself, the adjustable back seat, the split back seat, the cargo room and the looks.

Suggested Improvements

Design-wise, there are only a few minor issues: The inset windshield is hard to clear of snow. It gets packed in down around the wipers. The thick front pillars create a blind spot when you're turning left and looking to the right. The controls for the power drivers' seat are hard to reach.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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What's up with the wheel bearings?

Written by: Melissa on 03/18/2009

Vehicle

2006 Pontiac Torrent 4dr SUV AWD (3.4L 6cyl 5A)

Review

From 20000 miles until today I have replaced a total of 5 wheel bearings each and then again the rear passenger side. I cannot for the life of me figure out what is causing this! The first two were under warranty the last 3 have cost a whopping $ 400 each incl. labor. Fortunately today my mechanic gave me a break on the parts and discounted my bill I hope that this is the last that needs replaced but I fear it won't be.

Favorite Features

I like the body style, the nice amount of room for passengers in the back seat, and the stereo system

Suggested Improvements

Make certain that the car is mechanically sound before it leaves the factory, apparantly I got a car that definately has a defect

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Worst SUV, lots of REPAIRS

Written by: rocky on 02/07/2009

Vehicle

2006 Pontiac Torrent 4dr SUV AWD (3.4L 6cyl 5A)

Review

We purchased this vehicle because we wanted a SUV that had better gas mileage than our Envoy. But wish we had just purchased another Envoy!! Have had car in shop numerous times, check engine light repeatly comes on, had front wheel bearings replaced. Now the drivers' side heated seat BURNED UP, it even melted my husbands belt!!! I think they(Pontiac) should think about the issue!! Would not buy another TORRENT.

Favorite Features

Inside is very roomy.

Suggested Improvements

Work on the heated seat safety.

8 out 10 people found this review helpful

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It's OK

Written by: Jocelyn on 12/19/2008

Vehicle

2006 Pontiac Torrent 4dr SUV AWD (3.4L 6cyl 5A)

Review

So I had a Honda Civic and was forced to get rid of it for an SUV, not happy to begin with. Now I have 45K and my windshield has a 3+ crack that started from the right lower seal! Nothing hit my car. Now it's in my face. My rotors thump and my car won't crank over sometimes. I live in a snowy area and have driven it in the snow but never ever saw the AWD light kick on. It used to shift rough but now it's OK. I guess it was just because it was new. It's OK though, not happy with it but love the sunroof and definitely the stereo and sound system

Favorite Features

Stereo and sound system

Suggested Improvements

Just built to last longer than the warranty

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Awesome! For two weeks.

Written by: MAD on 09/11/2008

Vehicle

2006 Pontiac Torrent 4dr SUV AWD (3.4L 6cyl 5A)

Review

I was so excited when I bought this car, for the first month. Then things started happening: A bracket snapped that held something for the emissions system, another emissions problem, two warped rotors, radio on the fritz, heated seat cushion replaced, coolant sludged up, etc. Each of these was a separate trip to the shop, the Enterprise rent-a-car guy knew me by name. All within the first couple months of owning this thing (except for the rotors, that was at 17,000 miles, still ridiculous). The car is nice looking, functional for all my outdoor needs, lots of features, but overall I can't believe how many issues I've had with it. Worst reliability I've ever had in a vehicle.

Favorite Features

Auto dimming mirror is awesome, I'll never buy a car without heated seats again, and automatic headlights are awesome! My last car had them too (A Pontiac Vibe that I should've never sold). I haven't had to remember to turn my headlights on since 2004! Lesson learned, get a vibe (made by Toyota)

Suggested Improvements

06 was the first year for the Torrent and everyone "knows" not to buy the first year model because of all the kinks and bugs they need to work out...well, it's the same car as a Saturn Vue and Chevy Equinox, so I figured I should've been good to go, WRONG! Hope any of you with an 07+ had better luck

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Worst Car Ever!

Written by: trish526 on 08/06/2008

Vehicle

2006 Pontiac Torrent 4dr SUV AWD (3.4L 6cyl 5A)

Review

This has to be the biggest lemon I ever bought! It's now 2 years old and it's been in for service over 10 times starting 6 months after I bought it. It's been in for reasons ranging from a bad battery to the ignition column locking up. Each time I take it in service claims it's fixed and each time I have the same issue or a whole new one. I've called Pontiac and GMC and neither can help me. I'm now stuck in a car that's been deemed unsafe for another 2 years because it will cost me too much to get out. I cringe whenever I drive the car and brace myself to deal with service centers. If you want reliable, go with a Honda. If you want headaches, buy a GMC or Pontiac.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Take it off the market, work the bugs out, then burn the blueprints and pretend it never existed! You can't fix this car.

4 out 9 people found this review helpful

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