2007 Pontiac Torrent Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2007 Pontiac Torrent most often describe fuel leaks and strong gasoline odors traced to the fuel pump module area, along with an intermittent passenger airbag warning light and recurring Stabilitrak/traction control warnings that are sometimes accompanied by power steering loss. Most complaints fall in the 45,000-130,000 mile range, though a few describe fuel smells and warning lights at very low mileage, and problems often appear as intermittent faults that are hard to duplicate on inspection.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Gasoline smell and fuel leak at the fuel pump module

   • 81 complaints (33%)
   • median 76,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (65 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2022

   Owners describe a strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle, around the rear, or in a garage where the car is parked, often with no obvious puddle underneath. When shops inspect, they commonly report a cracked or fractured fuel pump module or fuel line on top of the tank, with fuel weeping or spraying out. Several owners say the vehicle was checked against recall 12V459000 and told it was not covered, usually because it was registered outside the included states, so they paid for the repair themselves; a few note the replacement part was on back order. Mostly reported between roughly 50,000 and 130,000 miles, sometimes while parked or after sitting, though a few cases appear under 25,000 miles.

   Recall 12V4590004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Smell around the rear of the vehicle and behind the fuel filler after it has sat overnight, and look for dampness on top of the fuel tank. Ask whether the fuel pump module has been replaced and check the VIN against recall 12V459000 by state of registration.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I start my 2007 Pontiac Torrent, it smells like gasoline. Beginning when I start my car to the time I turn it off, it smells like gasoline. I fly through gasoline and cannot fill my tan anymore than $10.00 or else it goes to waste. Smells like there is a leak or crack somewhere towards the front of the car. It's a extremely strong odor!”

   NHTSA complaint #11318994, filed 2020-03, 160,000 miles

   “There has been a strong gas odor. Then it would start missing when we were driving it. We took it to our mechanic. He called to order the fuel pump. It was on back order. We had to wait until the part came in almost 2 weeks to have it repaired. It was very costly.”

   NHTSA complaint #10371097, filed 2010-12, 91,716 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Intermittent passenger airbag warning light

   • 46 complaints (19%)
   • median 74,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (37 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2024

   Complaints describe a 'Service Airbag' message or airbag light that comes and goes, often with a passenger seated in the front seat, and sometimes the passenger airbag indicator shows off even with an adult present. Dealers have diagnosed the passenger seat presence/sensing module or seat electronic control unit and suggested replacement or reprogramming, while some owners were told their VIN was not part of the airbag recall and that repair would be at their cost. Reported from about 45,000 to 140,000 miles, typically as an intermittent fault that may not appear during a shop visit.

   Recall 07V344000Recall 07V5200001 related service bulletin

   What to check: With the key on, watch whether the passenger airbag status shows on when an adult sits in the front seat, and look for a service airbag message. Ask whether the seat sensor or control unit has been replaced or reprogrammed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a constant warning to service passenger airbag. I believe after reading several complaints that the sensor is a known issue with the Pontiac Torrent. I took to the dealer and they said my VIN does not fall in the recall, however that service bulletins released clearly show that many people are having this same issue. I was told that they could not repair at no cost and that I could pay to replace sensor at my cost. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10434385, filed 2011-11, 69,000 miles

   “I have a sensor failure with my passenger seat srs system and do not understand why a recall was issued(NHTSA campaign number: 07v344000) which did not include my vehicle. The recall issued only affected 437 units. The sensor indicates that no one is sitting in the passenger seat whenever the passenger moves around. The passenger weighs in excess of 120 lbs and never loses contact with the seat. This car only has 54000 miles on it. The sensor should not fail.”

   NHTSA complaint #10956720, filed 2017-02, 54,000 miles
3. 3
   Electronic stability control

   Stabilitrak and traction control warnings

   • 52 complaints (21%)
   • median 86,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (43 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $669 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2024

   Owners report 'Service Stabilitrak' or 'Service Traction Control' messages and warning lights that come on at random and sometimes clear on their own. In several cases the lights came on together with ABS or check engine lights, reduced engine power, or a stumble or stall, and one owner linked repeated warnings to an EGR valve replacement. Shops have variously replaced sensors or fuses, but the warnings often return. Often reported between about 50,000 and 115,000 miles, sometimes shortly after purchase, and frequently intermittent.

   What to check: Check that the Stabilitrak, traction control and ABS lights go out after start-up, and ask whether any wheel speed sensor, fuse or module has already been replaced. A scan for stored chassis codes before buying is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The date is the first incident, had several after that. I owned the vehicle 8 days when the stabilization, traction control, anti-lock brake lights came on, so I took it to the dealer, they said it was a speed sensor, they would order part. I took it back to get it fixed, 30 minutes later same problem again, lights came on, so I went back, they assured me they fixed it and it was a quote lights only issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10217300, filed 2008-02, 500 miles

   “I cut my car on this morning and the service traction control, service stabilitrac, and ABS lights were on. They stayed on throughout my drive to take my son to and from school. I just got this vehicle last night and the dealer said everything checked out fine as car was placed GM on a roll inspection . It was checked 2 days in a row and I have the paperwork showing as nothing wrong. I check on it today online and it seems to be a common issue with this vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10554746, filed 2013-12, 115,114 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out or locks

   • 30 complaints (12%)
   • median 56,800 mi at 4.0 yrs old (29 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2021

   Complaints describe the steering wheel suddenly becoming very stiff or locking, sometimes at low speed and sometimes while driving, then returning to normal after the car is shut off and restarted. Several owners mention the traction control or Stabilitrak light coming on around the same time, and shops have replaced the electric power steering assist motor and steering control module. Some were told by a dealer it was a known problem but that no repair was covered. Reported mostly between about 50,000 and 130,000 miles, often suddenly and without warning, sometimes alongside a no-start or warning-light episode.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: During the test drive, check that steering effort is normal and consistent at low speed and while parking, and ask whether the power steering assist motor or control module has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On the morning of oct.27, 2010 while my husband was trying to leave from pt and come home of post the car would not start (Pontiac Torrent) he had to have it jumped just to start it. After the car turned over he found that there was no power steering. He managed to get it to the dealers that we have bought it from to see what the problem/s were. We now have no car for work doctors and to get the things we need. The car (Pontiac Torrent) is now at the dealership to see what's wrong and if they can fix the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10362656, filed 2010-10, 56,800 miles

   “On the evening of 10/28/10 started the my 2007 Pontiac Torrent to put into the garage for the evening. I started the car and the traction control off notice appeared on my driver information center. I thought I might have bumped it since it is located just left of the prndl shift. I pushed the button to turn it back on and immediately the service traction control warning light came on. I thought I would just take into the dealer on monday. I then shifted the car to drive and now realized I had no power steering at all. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10364551, filed 2010-11, 49,640 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Key sticks in ignition or vehicle shuts off

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the key will not turn back to off or cannot be removed after parking, sometimes requiring a restart and a short drive before it releases. Others describe the engine shutting off on its own while driving, or a clicking ignition switch, and some link these episodes to warning lights and steering trouble. Complaints also mention broken wires in the driver's door harness affecting windows and locks. Reported from roughly 80,000 to 160,000 miles, usually as repeated intermittent events.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: After a test drive, park, shut off and confirm the key turns freely and comes out; repeat a couple of times. Ask whether the ignition switch or door harness wiring has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My passenger seatbelt warning light stays on when I have a passenger in the front. The ignition switch clicks constantly. The key keeps getting stuck in the ignition switch. The car engine skips whenever I slow down or accelerate. All of this happens whenever I'm driving highway or in town except for when I'm parked and the keys gets stuck in the ignition switch. Please help!!”

   NHTSA complaint #11350048, filed 2020-08, 90,895 miles

   “Hi there, I am having trouble with the ignition switch on my 2007 Pontiac Torrent. This happens numerous times throughout the month. The car will shut off on it's own, while driving and I have had to coast to the shoulder and put the car in park and re start it, this is very dangerous I have also almost been hit a few times trying to coast to the shoulder. I also have the problem when I am parking and put it in park the key will not come out of the ignition. I have to drive around, back up , turn it off and on, etc just to get it out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10616556, filed 2014-07, 117,517 miles

Buying note. Check the fuel pump area for leaks and gasoline odor before buying and confirm whether this VIN is covered by recall 12V459000 based on where the car is registered, since many owners outside the listed states paid for the repair themselves. Also verify the passenger airbag sensor works with an adult in the seat and that steering assist and warning lights behave normally on a test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.