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ProblemsByVin Index / 2009-PONTIAC-TORRENT / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2009 Pontiac Torrent owner complaints

17 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 2 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

airbags 6 complaints shown

6 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
12/16/2019 85,000 mi ODI #11289333.0

Service passenger air bag light comes on every time car is started.also indicator light says passenger air bag is off.there is no working passenger side air bag at this time.it has been this way for over a year.

11/04/2015 119,000 mi ODI #10788321.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac torrent. While driving at an unknown speed, the air bag, stability control, and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 119,000.

09/26/2010 ODI #10357677.0

I have a 2009 Pontiac torrent AWD. The passenger side front seat air bag 98% of the time wont turn on for my wife. She weighs 124 pds and that should be more then enough to set it to an "on" position. This is a safety hazard for her. I have had it to the dealer twice and they reset the system but I still have the same problem. The dealer tried to get gm to tell them what was up as to settings and such but they couldn't get anywhere with them. I contacted gm and complained and some person from another country who you could just understand said the same old thing about the car. I know that earlier Pontiac torrents had this same problem and a recall was done. I think gm still has a problem. Thanks *tr

09/09/2014 30,000 mi Crash ODI #10631782.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac torrent. While driving 5 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the driver side door of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained back injuries and the driver of the other vehicle sustained unknown injuries. A police report was filed and medical attention was received. The contact's vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact smelled fuel inside the vehicle on numerous occasions while driving various speeds. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

04/03/2018 56,000 mi ODI #11083150.0

Air bag warning light came on. Took to the local gm dealer. They stated the "passenger presence module" was shorting out. Dealer stated the airbags may not inflate with the problem. Dealer stated the Pontiac torrent had a recall on the 2006 thru 2008 torrent for the problem but not the 2009. Dealer charged $798.33 to replace the module. This item should be recalled.

02/04/2013 63,000 mi ODI #10496317.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac torrent. The contact stated the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the front passenger seat air bag sensor would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

steering 3 complaints shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
11/18/2016 6,000 mi ODI #10926810.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac torrent. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel experienced stiffness and shook when turning. Eventually, the steering wheel suddenly became locked and could not be turned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering motor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The power steering motor was replaced and the vehicle operated normally. Approximately four years later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column was faulty and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,000. Updated 01/11/2017*ct updated 7/6/18*jb

07/24/2022 ODI #11475529.0

Steering gone out while driving times 3 with 2 replacements and now in shop for 3rd replacement. Nearly hit a lady. Time before, I nearly went over an embankment. Steering column has been entirely replaced twice. The electric steering motor has also been replaced 2 to 3 times as well. Numerous times have lost the ability to steer when in a curve but then later corrected itself and continued driving. ABS light is on most of the time and yes it has been looked at numerous times. Stabilitrac light is on and again, yes, this has been looked at numerous times. Traction control light is also on again. Seat belt sensor light is on and has been for a long time. Now, I really cannot afford repairs once again for something that needs a recall. I have read hundreds of other people also mak

03/30/2018 71,000 mi ODI #11082144.0

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 fai

body 2 complaints shown

3 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,500 · see body cluster analysis →
07/17/2015 80,000 mi ODI #10734697.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac torrent. When opening the rear liftgate door, the door would not remain in the open position and would suddenly close independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

01/02/2013 47,500 mi 1 injury ODI #10490780.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac torrent. The contact opened the rear liftgate and the lift gate abruptly released, striking the contact and causing a slight injury to the contact's head. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where both liftgate support struts were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 47,500.

powertrain 1 complaint shown

11/18/2016 ODI #10926954.0

Unlocks and locks by itself the stazable track keeps coming on its like its not getting air intake when I'm driving it not shifting rite skps gears

tires 1 complaint shown

10/22/2010 30,000 mi ODI #10361807.0

First event low tire warning took to dealer, dealer stated it was a valve stem failure. Dealer replaced under warranty. Second event low tire pressure warning came on, wife tried to check tire pressure with hand held tire gauge stem broke off went flat suddenly, third event repeat of same tire valve stem snapped off while driving, and pulling a trailer. Dealer stated they could not put a standard valve stem on the car because the factory one is considered a safety device. 35 years of driving and a piss poor safety device nearly gets me killed, vehicle is a 2009 Pontiac torrent with under 50,000 miles. Also persistent problem of loosing tire pressure. I've never had a car that required daily tire pressure checks typically a daily visual and once a week is pressure test is adequate, but not

fuel system 1 complaint shown

09/21/2023 198,000 mi ODI #11545884.0

The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present. Upon inspection, it was discovered that a crack was present on the top of the fuel tank causing fuel to leak onto the ground. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 198,000.

cruise control 1 complaint shown

03/15/2010 ODI #10316492.0

Consumers 2009 Pontiac torrent surges when decelerating when coming to a stop. *ts they dealer was unable to duplicate the consumers concern. The consumer also noticed when the vehicle idled, the RPM's showed 1250 and the consumer stated he could not take his foot off the brake while stopped as the vehicle would possibly move forward. *jb

electrical 1 complaint shown

02/22/2013 56,000 mi ODI #10499701.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac torrent. The contact stated that while parked, the stability control and the engine warning lights illuminated. The contact attempted to accelerate but the vehicle would not respond. The vehicle was towed to the dealer twice for diagnostic testing. The technicians stated that the battery and wiring in the electrical system would have to be replaced. After the replacement of the battery and the wiring system, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not further repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.

Showing 300 of 17 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Pontiac/Torrent#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-28. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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