Ask the Car People.SM


Pontiac Torrent Ignition Problem

179 messages,  Last post on Apr 01, 2013 at 4:39 PM

You are in the Pontiac Torrent Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Torrent, Electrical, SUV

Messages Page 18 of 18

#170 of 179 Rid of the pos by masshole2

Jan 29, 2013 (7:50 pm)

Yaaa. Traded it in. Getting a 2010 Toyota corolla tomorrow. So relieved to be getting rid of this. That was the last gm car I will ever buy. Just replaced two front wheel. Earrings at 70,000 miles. 90,000 miles, they are both gone again. Good luck to poor sucker who buys this car.

#171 of 179 starting problems by scb1976

Jan 29, 2013 (7:59 pm)

Bought my brand new 06' torrent in September 2006. I had a sticky starter from day one....took it in under warranty 4 times before they finally fixed the problem. Have not had any problems with the car since then, until about a month ago. I first noticed that it wouldn't start on the first key turn, or it would keep trying to start even if I let go of the key, but it did eventually start, until....I took it in over this last weekend to GM for a "free diagnostic check" of the car, that included a kit that had jumper cables in it, the only reason I took it in. When I checked the car in, the mechanic asked me if I was having any trouble with the car, I told him that the ignition had been giving me trouble. When they were done, they told me they found nothing wrong with the car, recommended the 100,000 mile service, and wooshed me out the door. I started the car, it gave me trouble right in front of the mechanic who completely ignored it. Ever since my visit to GM things have gone to hell in a handbasket....later that night the car wouldn't even start at ALL!!! I was stranded at Safeway with my family and had to run home to get another car to pick them up....it eventually turned over after my husband fiddled with it for awhile, but it was a very sluggish start. the next day I was afraid to drive it to work so I took his reliable ford pickup...he was able to buy a new ignition switch...it started but continues to be sluggish, you practically have to floor the pedal to start it....i did not realize this car had this issue until I found this blog...now I'm pissed that this is going on and nothing has been done by GM to fix the problem...I bought the torrent because I was happy with the grand prix before that, although I had told myself I would never buy another GM after my husbands brand new 2002 chevy pickup left us stranded 5 times with under 13,000 miles on it...I hope that GM is taking this blog seriously and will help us all fix this problem, otherwise I will probably sell this car and never purchase another GM again!!

#172 of 179 Re: starting problems [scb1976] by gmcustsvc

Jan 30, 2013 (6:35 am)

Replying to: scb1976 (Jan 29, 2013 7:59 pm)
scb1976,
Sorry to read about your diagnostic experience. If we can check into this further with you, please contact us at socialmediagm.com (include your name and contact information, the last 8 digits of your VIN and mileage, and a summary of the situation).
Sarah, GM Customer Service

#173 of 179 Re: 2006 pontiac torrent won't start most of the time [isiahlandonmom] by curleyvan

Feb 18, 2013 (11:12 pm)

Replying to: isiahlandonmom (Sep 18, 2012 12:31 pm)
don't know if you'll see this it's 2013. I had same problem with my recent purchase of a torrent and we changed out the battery think that would stop problem. my sweetie thought its cause of the side mount not getting much of a charge. I was worried I made a mistake on this car.
 
Then my sweetie had a lightbulb hit..fuel injection cleaner! I just put in the first bottle but my car starts right up now. If you have a big prob you may need to put in 2 bottles at first. I had a grand am in the 80's and I had to do the same thing. I get the cheap stuff from walmart. Good Luck

#174 of 179 Re: 06 torrent start/electrical problem [isis_a] by dericksen

Feb 28, 2013 (8:07 pm)

Replying to: isis_a (Mar 09, 2012 7:45 pm)
ok we have had this problem going on for so long on the key chain with the unlock and lock buttons press the panic button 5x and then the unlock button within 4 seconds you will hear a beep that is turning ur anti theft off this is what is causing it to do that.

#175 of 179 I bought a Lemon Torrent! by sanna9701

Mar 07, 2013 (8:34 pm)

Have 2007 Pontiac Torrent – Factory Ordered
 
Within the first year the heating system failed, as in it randomly worked. Took it in numerous times to the dealership only to be made to feel like I was doing something wrong. Each time I would bring it in, they would keep it for the day, check it over and send me on my way, only for it to stop working again shortly thereafter.
Finally it cooperated, in that it didn’t work when the technician checked it, which was after probably the 4th time I brought it in. In the end, probably out of frustration of me continually bringing it in, they ended up removing the entire heating system from a brand new one on the lot and putting it in mine. That worked and I haven’t had a problem with the heating since.
Shortly thereafter, the driver’s side mirror stopped working so now I can’t adjust it using the control inside the truck…still doesn’t work. Shortly after that, the driver’s side lock won’t lock anymore from inside either.
Within months of getting the heating fixed, my key started to randomly get stuck in the ignition, which quickly escalated to every time. Turning off and on the engine and putting it in and out of gear was the only way to get it out. I had to start carrying two sets of keys in the event it wouldn’t come out.
With all this happening, the engine would start to sputter when I accelerated so I took it into my licensed mechanic and decided to have that looked at in addition to the key getting stuck in the ignition. I was told that the sputtering was caused by a faulty spark plug, which they replaced, and the ignition issue was apparently a known issue to the dealership to which they supplied a “super lube” for them to apply to my ignition. I drove it home and to my dismay, the key got stuck again. $1,000 out of my own pocket later and I’m back to square one.
Now it’s starting to hesitate when I start the engine and randomly won’t turn over at all. After a few tries it starts, but it still hesitates.
I have had a few conversations with the customer service people at GM, pleading my case, to which I was told that I could bring it in to one of their dealerships to assess it, at my own cost of approximately $130 per hour. All they would commit to if I brought it in was that they “may” consider helping with the cost to fix it, only if it would have been covered under my warranty. Not sure I see how this is a benefit to me! Whatever happened to a company standing by their product! I asked if my mechanic could speak to their mechanic to share what they found in lieu of bringing it in, but they said no to that as well.
I don’t want to hear their typical response of “I’m sorry to hear about your experience…” spiel...what I want to hear is “let us take care of whatever issues you are having at no cost to you…”or better yet…issue a recall. Clearly, looking online, I’m not the only one having issues with this!
Consumers need to stand together and make these companies stand by their products instead of washing their hands and hoping we will just go away.

#177 of 179 lemon Torrents by sanna9701

Mar 08, 2013 (5:14 pm)

Makes you kind of wonder why they don't make the Torrent anymore...

#178 of 179 Re: lemon Torrents [sanna9701] by sgtv

Mar 19, 2013 (12:13 pm)

Replying to: sanna9701 (Mar 08, 2013 5:14 pm)
It doesn't matter how much we all complain here! We took it uncomfortably up the hindin when we purchased our LEMON'S, uhumm,,, I mean Torrent's. Mine has had the heater core replaced, the starter replaced, front wheel bearings replaced, the driver's door wiring harness is a frickin joke, and my radio won't shut off until I open another door, my window adjuster,OOO, my window will not roll up or down unless you either open the door several times or punch it.
 The AUTO light switch no longer works, and I am also experiencing the hesitation when I accelerate, but I am installing the plugs and wires myself. The ignition has always been weird, (sometimes won't start even though it is turning over) probably time for a new starter.
 My Torrent only has 75,000 miles on it, and ever since I've had it there have been major problems that should never happen to a $25,000.00 GM vehicle. I swear that I will never buy a GM, and will advise everyone I know to ever buy a GM. I don't understand why this car was never recalled!

#179 of 179 Re: starting problems [scb1976] by scb1976

Apr 01, 2013 (4:39 pm)

Replying to: scb1976 (Jan 29, 2013 7:59 pm)
Update: we switched out the battery, which was bulging on one side, it also tested bad at the auto parts store. We replaced it with a brand new 70 month battery and alas, all of the crazy electronic issues and starting issues completely resolved! Cannot imagine what the dealerships would have charged me to figure this one out, only cost us the price of a new battery, $100. I'm still at a loss as to why the GM dealership didn't catch a bulging bad battery when they did a "thorough" inspection of the vehicle during the height of all these issues. Just glad to have my dependable Torrent back in service.

Messages Page 18 of 18

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement