Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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. …
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 failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.
I got into my Torrent, started up the engine, and started exiting out of the parking lot where I work. I immediately had to stop, because I could not turn the wheels. I stopped the vehicle and got out to check for a flat tire, and they were just fine. There were no fluids under my vehicle, there were no warning lights on on my display, no sqeeks or squeals, and it had just worked fine when I went home for lunch. I very carefully and slowly( I can hardly move the wheels) moved it into a safer location on the parking lot, and called GM to ask about recalls on the electronic power steering, because a co-worker told me that he had previously owned a 2008 Chevy malibu that had the same thing happen to it, and he was told that this model Torrent had the same power steering problem, although there is no recall listed for it. …
This vehicle has been full of problems. First it was losing power when turning corners or changing lanes. Had to have that fixed.. Next power steering went out not long after had the power issue fixed. Next the driver door would no longer lock. Had that fixed in 2015. Then in 2015 started noticing the airbag light was just going on and off for the passenger seat when someone was sitting in the seat. And they all meet/exceed the weight needed to activate. Now the airbag just stays off. Now the airbag sensor is showing not activated for the driver side. And the seat belt lights are blinking. Also now I am being told the fuel pump also now needs to be replaced in the car smell strong fumes at times. Also experience sputtering once reaches 40 MPH and again around 60. Also anytime we are on an incline. And the power steering went out again on the vehicle.
My car says service stabilitrak and my traction control light is still on whether I hit the button or not I just spent a grand for it to be fixed and it I'm still having the same issue my brakes will lock up or my wheel locks up uncontrollably I have almost gotten into numerous accidents because of it.
On 11/5/17 my 2007 Pontiac steering locked and I was in a major car crash. The steering locked as I tried to leave a gas station after giving a stranded person a jump. I turned car off and back on and it was fine. Proceeded home and got on the highway, after driving about 45 minutes the steering locked again as I was changing lanes, I hit the back of a truck and my car lost control. My car went across lanes of on coming traffic and flipped and ran off the road.
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 was parked, smoke was seen coming front the front driver's side tire. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
When consumer was attempting to back out of parking space, 2006 Torrent suddenly accelerated in reverse at high speed. As a result the vehicle crashed onto another vehicle parked in the parking lot causing extensive damage to both vehicles. The vehicle was towed to the dealer's body shop. When they attempted to do an alignment they noticed damage to the steering system components (right front strut, steering knuckle, hub, bearing and lower control arm). The vehicle was then towed to the dealer's service shop to be inspected. The technician inspected and test drove the vehicle and found no codes stored in the vehicle's computer and determined that the vehicle was operating as designed.
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac Torrent years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (29), 2007 (28) and 2008 (8) model years. Steering complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Pontiac Torrent steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for any Pontiac Torrent model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Pontiac Torrent steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 37% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the electric power assist system (4 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.