Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 240 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Pontiac Torrent, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 46 | 19% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 7% |
| Steering | 16 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 5% |
| Engine | 9 | 4% |
| Seats | 9 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 3% |
| Air bags | 7 | 3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed to operate as designed, the brakes seized, and the vehicle lost motive power with several unknown war
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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'
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
WHEN I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, MY CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN I WOULD HIT A BUMP OR WHEN I WOULD PRESS ON THE BRAKES. THE KNOCKING WAS COMING FROM SOMEWHERE UNDER THE CAR IN THE REAR DRIVER'
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 VE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHILE DRIVING AND STOPPING MY BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND THE ABS AND TC CONTROL LIGHTS TURN ON THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS UNKNOWN NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE. IN ADDITION, A BURNING ODOR WAS EMITTED THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. WHEN THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE HEATER FAILED TO PRODUCE HOT AIR AND THE WINDOWS FAILED TO DEFROST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HE
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
| Reliability raw | 65 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 240 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and visibility is the most reported area with 46 of them (19%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 65/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.