Selling a dead or junk Pontiac Torrent
The 2006 Torrent drew 240 complaints to NHTSA and not one recall campaign. The 2007 drew 243 complaints and all four. Two years, almost the same count, and very different files: visibility and wiring on the first, fuel delivery and air bags on the second.
- Model years in EPA data
- 2006-2009
- Complaints to NHTSA
- 625
- Year with the most complaints
- 2007 (243)
- Recall campaigns
- 4, all on the 2007
- Component named most
- Air bags (100)
- Drivetrain
- 3.4 V6, 5-speed automatic, FWD or AWD
- Built in
- Ingersoll, Ontario (CAMI)
If your Torrent no longer starts, or a repair quote came in above what it's worth, sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US.
Year by year, one generation
The Torrent had a single generation. Per Wikipedia it was built by CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario, on GM's Theta platform, related to the Saturn Vue. Every one had the 3.4-liter LNJ V6 and an Aisin AF33 5-speed automatic, and buyers picked front- or all-wheel drive. It replaced the Aztek, ended after the 2009 model year, and was followed by the GMC Terrain.
Each complaint here is an owner report in NHTSA's records, current to October 10, 2026. Campaign vehicle totals take in every vehicle covered, Torrent or not.
2006: visibility and electrical, no recalls
Visibility leads the first year with 59 complaints, and every one of the Torrent's visibility complaints in the file is on the 2006. Electrical comes next with 41, then steering with 20. The 2006 also has 10 fires reported, the most of any year. NHTSA lists no recall campaign for it.
2007: four recalls in one year
Fuel and propulsion leads the 2007 with 57 complaints, air bags follow with 49, and stability control has 26.
- Fuel pump (12V459). Applies to 2007 Torrent and Equinox models sold new in, or registered today in, Arizona, California, Nevada or Texas, plus other 2007 GM models. Dealers replace the fuel pump module. 49,768 vehicles in the campaign.
- Windshield (07V242). An incorrect primer may have been used when the windshield went in. Dealers replace the windshield, the liftgate glass and the side stationary glass. 6,213 vehicles.
- Passenger sensing (07V344). The front passenger seat's sensing system needed its control unit reprogrammed. 437 vehicles.
- A-pillar trim (07V520). On vehicles without roof rail air bags or a sunroof, dealers add energy-absorbing foam to the A-pillar trim. 57,100 vehicles, a count that may include other models.
2008-2009: air bags lead
Air bags top the 2008 with 46 of 125 complaints, and fuel and propulsion is second at 18. The 2009 has just 17, and as the youngest Torrent it has had the least time for owners to report anything.
Complaints and recalls by model year
NHTSA owner complaints by year, pulled October 10, 2026.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes reported | Fires reported | Injuries reported | Recall campaigns | Top three components |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 240 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 0 | Visibility 59, electrical 41, steering 20 |
| 2007 | 243 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 4 | Fuel/propulsion 57, air bags 49, stability control 26 |
| 2008 | 125 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 0 | Air bags 46, fuel/propulsion 18, electrical 9 |
| 2009 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | Air bags 5, structure 3, steering 3 |
Should you fix it?
On a 2007 that cranks but won't fire, put the VIN into NHTSA's recall lookup before paying for a diagnosis, and ask a GM dealer whether the fuel pump recall applies. The open recall guide covers selling a car with one still open.
For other failures, line up the shop estimate against the selling price of a working Torrent with similar year, miles and drive. When those numbers sit near each other, letting it go unrepaired often wins. Car doesn't run goes through the options.
Selling the Torrent whole
- Collect the details: the VIN, the miles, which wheels drive it, and the fault.
- Request an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
- Describe where it's parked: street, driveway, apartment lot or a shop. Say if it rolls and steers so the truck crew knows what to bring. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
- Leave everything on it, battery and wheels included. Mention anything already gone.
- Have your title and ID out as the tow rig pulls up. No title? Start with selling with no title.
Questions people ask
- Which Torrent year has the most NHTSA complaints?
- The 2007, with 243 on October 10, 2026. The 2006 is right behind at 240. The 2008 has 125 and the 2009 has 17. Being the last built, the 2009 has had the shortest stretch in which drivers could write in.
- Was there a fuel pump recall on the Torrent?
- Yes, for some 2007 models. Campaign 12V459 reaches 2007 Torrent and Chevrolet Equinox models with a first sale or a current registration in Arizona, California, Nevada or Texas. Dealers replace the fuel pump module. The campaign also covers other GM models, so its 49,768-vehicle count isn't Torrents alone.
- Does the 2006 Torrent have any recalls?
- No recall campaign appears for the 2006 in NHTSA's file, even with 240 complaints. All four Torrent campaigns are on the 2007.
- Do you buy Torrents that won't start?
- Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US. Mention the drive type and if it can be pushed.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.
- NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), Pontiac Torrent, downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 12V459: fuel pump module, 2007 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 07V242: windshield primer, 2007 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 07V344: passenger sensing seat, 2007 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 07V520: A-pillar trim, 2007 nhtsa.gov
- EPA fuel economy data (model years, FWD and AWD) fueleconomy.gov
- Wikipedia: Pontiac Torrent (plant, platform, engine, transmission) en.wikipedia.org