Problems · NHTSA complaints

2009 Pontiac Torrent problems

Owners filed 17 complaints about the 2009 Pontiac Torrent with NHTSA between Mar 2010 and Sep 2023. The most-cited component is air bags (6).

Complaints
17
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags6
  2. Steering3
  3. Structure3
  4. Electrical system2
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  6. Fuel system, gasoline1
  7. Power train1
  8. Traction control system1
  9. Fuel/propulsion system1
  10. Engine1
  11. Tires1
  12. Vehicle speed control1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20103
20110
20120
20133
20141
20152
20162
20170
20183
20191
20200
20210
20221
20231

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

6 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2019Air bagsODI 11289333

Steering

3 reports
“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 making these same reports in NHTSA comments. Please, people are going to get killed if not already. Now, I also see that these steering columns are being sent back to the manufacturer and the same defective modules are being replaced and then sent back out to replace another vehicles defective part while charging the customer full price yet again. A repairman stated to me that the defective…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2022SteeringODI 11475529

Structure

3 reports
“DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DASH COVER CRACKING.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 1, 2018StructureODI 11099211

Electrical system

2 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 18, 2016Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 10926954

Electronic stability control (esc)

2 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2015Air bags, Electronic stability control (esc), Traction control systemODI 10788321

Fuel system, gasoline

1 report
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2023Fuel system, gasolineODI 11545884
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.