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Pontiac TorrentModel year report

2009 Pontiac Torrent Problems

Complaints
17filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
59,500miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.4L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Pontiac Torrent (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2009 Pontiac Torrent. The part named most often is air bags, with 6 complaints (35% of the total), followed by steering (3) and body and structure (3). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 59,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 969 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Steering complaints overlap with 12 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Air bag warning light came on. Took to the local GM dealer. They stated the passenger presence module was shorting out. Dealer stated the airbags may not inflate with the problem. Dealer stated the Pontiac Torrent had a recall on the 2006 thru 2008 Torrent for the problem but not the 2009. Dealer charged $798.33 to replace the module. This item should be recalled.”

NHTSA complaint #11083150, filed 2018-04, 56,000 miles

Steering: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11082144, filed 2018-03, 71,000 miles

Body and structure: “The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Torrent. The contact opened the rear liftgate and the lift gate abruptly released, striking the contact and causing a slight injury to the contact's head. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where both liftgate support struts were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 47,500.”

NHTSA complaint #10490780, filed 2013-01, 47,500 miles

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated that while parked, the stability control and the engine warning lights illuminated. The contact attempted to accelerate but the vehicle would not respond. The vehicle was towed to the dealer twice for diagnostic testing. The technicians stated that the battery and wiring in the electrical system would have to be replaced. After the replacement of the battery and the wiring system, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not further repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10499701, filed 2013-02, 56,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 47,500 and 80,000 miles.

8%0–100%10–2525%25–5033%50–7517%75–1008%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 59,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

201032013320142015201620183201920222023
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Pontiac Torrent. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Torrent · sedan FWD/AWDnot rated5 / 5——4 · 16.4% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 Pontiac Torrent version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Torrent AWD3.4L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172420$3,350
Torrent AWD3.6L 6-cyl6-speed automatic162419$3,550
Torrent FWD3.4L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172420$3,350
Torrent FWD3.6L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172419$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2009 Pontiac Torrent in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 969 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 969 bulletins →

Other model years of the Pontiac Torrent

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20091759,5000—20—Stable
200812580,0000—19Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
200724376,0004—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200624080,0000—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Pontiac Torrent model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Pontiac Torrent have?

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2009 Pontiac Torrent as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Pontiac Torrent is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 6 complaints (35% of the total), followed by steering with 3.

Has the 2009 Pontiac Torrent been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Pontiac Torrent get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Pontiac Torrent (Torrent FWD, 3.4L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Pontiac Torrent reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 59,500 miles and the middle half falls between 47,500 and 80,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.