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I apologize for the issue you are experiencing with your ignition. Were you planning on taking the vehicle into the dealership to be looked at?
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
(1) the power lock issue was indeed a torn wiring harness.
(3) ABS/traction control was a faulty module, cost me about $300 or so to fix.
Haven't gotten the sunroof fixed yet, it's bearable and not critical.
But - the check engine light came on a few weeks ago and the garage initially thought it was a loose 'snorkel' tube in the gas tank. Fixing that did nothing, so I brought the car back and now the diagnosis is a shot 'ERG' (?) valve which will be about $300 plus $60 labour. Again, not a safety/drivability issue but it will need looking after soon.
Plus, we did a long weekend road trip (about 1500 miles over 5 days) and at the halfway point, a loud grinding noise started to come from the front wheel area. It was present at all speeds but got louder with acceleration. I didn't want to interrupt our trip and made it home, but my guess is that it's a front bearing. I'll find out tomorrow at the garage. Sigh.
Wipe the sweat from my brow and drive away .......:0 what..fast forward a few months and the problem is back again problem does not show its ugly head for the dealer after a tow. Off we go on a trip to Kenora this past July Stop for gas in Wisconsin car won't start same problem... so I roll the car forward as a towtruck driver had suggested in the past that might jar the fuel pump and low and behold it starts! back in the car and off we go we get to Kenora and stop for the bathroom 5 min from the hotel... car won't start. Roll it back and forth and eventually it starts but not as easy as the last time oh oh. We get to the hotel and there is a dealer next door so I figure I would take it in first thing in the morning. Wouldn't start, I roll it still no start...On star to the rescue! tow me over two driveways. The dealer was great, was a busy Friday but was able to fit me in, problem was it started so.... no problem found. I mentioned the fuseblock replacement and he did some more tests still nothing, he moved the car around to the side of the building and parked it on an incline. Went to start it and bingo no go. (don't really think the incline had anything to do with it) He opened the main fuse block re seated the fuel pump relay and it worked. He said that he didn't have the part and I should be ok to get home. Off we went a few days later for the two day journey home we had problems every time we turned off the car, but re seating the relay seemed to be working got home phew... Went out to take it to the dealer in the morning and no amount of re seating or wiggle would work, car no start. Onstar to the rescue.:) Dealer want to test and charge even though I already paid for the testing at another dealer he takes the paper work and says leave it with me. Turns out yes they believe that the block is a bad block and needs replacing again and yes even though the vehicle is out of warranty the part was still under warranty. They replaced it and life is good. That was three weeks ago, we have had two cold start issues since the last one yesterday and the re seating of the relay seems to work. Problem is this has been an issue for almost two years now and in a few months I am helpless without a warranty. (we even had an extended warranty). Well thats my rant, I am going to call the number that was listed a few posts back and see what GM has to Say.
Thanks for listening.
Have you spoke with Customer Assistance yet? If so, can you please send me your case number? Can you please include your VIN? I look forward to your response.
Christina
GM Customer Service
This not starting stuff is really irritating, and the starter is hidden up under the vehicle in a hard to reach position. If cleaning the battery terminals doesn't work, I will attempt to remove the starter to have it tested. Of course everthing that has went wrong was right after the warranty ran out. YeeeHah!
Oh yeah I forgot about the heater core leak. $800.00 to replace. If we are all having these same problems, why is there no recalls on this vehicle?
Add me to your list of names; R. Vincent Jr., and I bought mine at Foreman Blair Pontiac in Springfield, Ohio.
Dealerships are independently owned and operated. When you speak with Customer Assistance they are working to come to a resolution for both the customer and the dealership. When you speak with customer assistance you are reporting your concerns to GM. For instance, let’s say you have 30,000 miles and you go to the dealer with intermittent concerns, but the dealer is unable to duplicate it. This interaction is not documented anywhere with GM. Now if you were to call Customer Assistance, they will try to involve technical assistance to try to diagnosis your vehicle as well document that you were experiencing the concerns while still in warranty. Now if at 40,000 miles the problem is apparent and they are able to diagnosis and pin point it, there is documentation that you were experiencing this concern while still in warranty; this is just one example. Another case I came across last week a customer went to the dealer for the concerns. There was a special coverage for the concern that was not yet updated in the dealer’s resource as it was new. I spoke with him as I do many of you, and we were able to direct the dealer about the special coverage and get the vehicle fixed. Each case is different with different circumstances, so we evaluate things on a case by case basis. Customer assistance has different tools and resources to try to resolve customers concerns and situations. I hope this helps.
Christina
GM Customer Service
To date I have replaced the ignition cylinder housing as I believed the passlock was an issue. The light would come on when there was a no start condition. if left for 10 minutes then it would normally start with no further problems. That did fix the theft light problem and it still does come on at times but if we're on a good day then it will still start despite the theft light being on.
The no crank condition still happened a few days later so I removed all wiring from the remote starter and replaced the ignition switch on the ignition housing. This repair was benneficial as it made the R.A.P. start working again. It started perfectly for about 2 weeks but then it has started acting up again and will not start (no crank) more often than not. I have thoroughly inspected, wiggled, pulled, disconnect/reconnect all wiring components related to the ignition and security under or near the steering column.
I have replaced the battery and inspected the cables and ends. I checked all fuses and relays and swapped the ignition relay with another of the same number.
I have removed the starter and cleaned and inspected the terminals. The car DID start after this was done (Tested it about 20 key cycles) but then would not start again after it was driven for awhile.
Today it started fine and i function tested aproximately 40 key cycles and it started every time. I ran some errands but left it running the whole time for fear that it would not restart. The passlock light came on in the cluster and once home i turned it off and it restarted ok. tested aproximately 40 more key cycles and it started every time. The only thing that may be of note is that the starter did seem to drag 2 times in the 40. Otherwise it started and ran perfectly.
I am at a loss as to where to look next. everything I have done has seemed to make a difference at least for a little while.
Just to confirm, this is a NO CRANK condition. It is not the cranks but will not fire problem many have complained of.
I have not had this vehicle in to the dealer for this complaint since we purchased it in May of 2010. I am confident in my trouble shooting skills and as mentioned i have a good relationship with some very good GM techs.
I apologize for your frustrations and inconvenience. Can you please email me your complete contact information including mailing address, VIN, current mileage, dealer of choice, and a description of your concerns and experience? I look forward to your email!
Christina
GM Customer Service
Oh yeah, if you ever get a check engine light on, always check the plastic pipe that goes from the main air hose, around the back of the motor and into the valve cover, because it probably popped out!
I am very sorry to hear about the frustrations you're experiencing with your Torrent. If I understand correctly, you are already working with Customer Assistance on this? If you would like to email me your case number, I can look into the situation and give you whatever updates are available.
Regards,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
What to do, eh?
Live with it, or get rid of it.
I really like the vehicle, and will drive it until the wheels fall off. Did I mention I just had the Right front wheel bearing replaced? The Left one was replaced under warranty soon after I purchased it.
Feel the Love ....
I would recommend getting into contact with GM of Canada (customer service for our Canadian drivers). They can be reached at 800-263-3777 and are open M-F 7:30am - 11:30pm and Saturday 7:30am - 6:00 EST.
Torrentofabuse,
Have you had your Torrent diagnosed before by a dealership? If we can assist in looking further into this for you, please send us an email with more information, including your name/user name, the last 8 digits of your VIN, and a description of your concern in better detail.
Many thanks,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
The stepping on the gas trick was not working on my car, After talking to the dealer this morning the computer in the car is giving 10 to 12 different codes, Was told it may be that the computer may need to be recoded. As soon as i have an answer ill let everyone know what it was with my vehicle.
Best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
1.gas gauge wasn't ready as full when it was. the fuel sensors were bad and had to be replaced.
2. day time running lamps flicker on/off and then always stayed off. the sensors for them were bad too.
3. the spoiler on the back was not put on secured in place properly and one side fell off when i was actually driving down the road back to the dealership.
4. The paint on the driver side completely pealed off when they did the auto butler on my torrent and then they accused me of having my car painted and that is wasn't done properly and its not their problem. To top that off when i showed them i had only had the car 2 weeks and it was brand new they said oops we made a mistake and never really could tell me why or WHO painted my car and why being as it only had 400 miles on it when i bought it.
5. the computer went out withing the first 3 months and had to be replaced
6. the shocks that keep the back hatch up stopped working in the first month as well.
7. the spoiler AGAIN was making noise like wind was catching it when i was driving down the road so it had to be replaced. FOR THE 2ND TIME!!
8. the seals around the driver side door and rear hatch had to be replaced,. they actually fell off when the door was opened and the back i went to put my grocery in there and the whole back was soaking when cuz it had just rained.
8. lastly, my heat stopped working. the fan would blow just cold air like the air condiitioning was on and when you moved the thermostat know you could hear it changing. Dealership was going to make me pay almost $1,000 cuz my warrenty had just run out by 300 miles and the car only had 60,000 miles on it. luckily i found someone to do it for free. literally had to stip the dask down to the metal frame and the part was just like $30 and they were gonna charge me a $1,000. WTF??
so need less to say i am sick and tired of this damn car. I am a single working parent whom lives paycheck to paycheck and literally cant affor to buy 2 wheel barrings at $120 a piece to only have them last a fricking year!!! then to find someone to put them in total cost of almost $600. i dont have $600!! and how the hell can a wheel barring A. only have a 90day warrenty and B. go out every 9-12 months!!!????
Pontiac should be footing the bill for this not me!! this car is most certain a lemon and i trying taking it back to the dealership 3 times within the first month of having it and they would not work with me at all to get me a new vehicle and they said that the few things that were wrong did categorize it as a 'TRUE' lemon so they pretty pushed me out the door and said 'to bad so sad for you my friend' if i had the money to get rid of this vehicle i would but i cant. can someone please help me and let me know if any of these things are under warranty or recall please>???!!!!!
so, to say the least this vehicle has been a complete money pit!!
Sarah, GM Customer Service
Sarah, GM Customer Service
This morning I checked it out again, "just in case" and it still did the same thing. In addition, I also saw/heard that when I turn the key on but not to the start position, the seat belt alarm did this weird rapid ding before settling into it's normal sound pattern. Also, the radio display light would dim in and out like the dome lights while also making this single click sound periodically.
Before this, we haven't had any major problems. A few random times the car wouldn't want to fire the first time or two of starting it, but on the second or third try it would start. Haven't had that issue in at least a few months.
On a side note, the car was not driven from mid-June to mid-August because we shipped it overseas and we are now in Italy where any repairs are going to be very expensive if done by a repair shop, so I would like to have some ideas of things we could try on our own first.
We're sorry that you've had so many difficulties with the Torrent you recently purchased. Did you purchase this from a dealership or from a private party? Let us know if you would like for us to check for any recalls on your vehicle (we can be reached at socialmedia@gm.com - please include the last 8 digits of your VIN).
Sarah, GM Customer Service
Have you heard anything further from your dealership? If you would like for us to check into this further, please email us more information at socialmedia@gm.com (include your name and Edmunds username, phone and address, the last 8 of your VIN and current mileage, and the name of your dealership).
Sarah, GM Customer Service
We're sorry to hear about the difficulties you've been having getting your Torrent started, in addition to the wheel bearing replacements. Have you ever had the start-up problem diagnosed? If so, and it we can follow up on that diagnosis with your dealership, please contact us at socialmedia@gm.com with more details (including your name and Edmunds username, phone and address, the last 8 of your VIN and current mileage, and the name of your dealership).
Sarah, GM Customer Service
I to have replaced wheel bearings on both left and right front. I have also had the startup problem, and had a new starter put on it, and it worked fine for 5 months. The problem is back. Not covered. I also am having the heater core replaced tomorrow morning to the cost of $8oo.oo. Again not covered. I have owned a few cars and trucks during my time, but have never ever had a company turn it's back on you like this. A major recall should be in the works. Just think of all the Torrent owners who haven't even bothered to post.
We can understand that this is a frustrating situation. Per the 2008 Pontiac Warranty manual, the following components are covered by the powertrain warranty:
Engine: Cylinder head, block, timing gears, timing
chain, timing cover, oil pump/oil pump housing, OHC
carriers, valve covers, oil pan, seals, gaskets,
turbocharger, supercharger and all internal lubricated
parts as well as manifolds, flywheel, water pump,
harmonic balancer and engine mount. Timing belts are
covered until the first scheduled maintenance interval.
Transmission/Transaxle/Transfer Case: Case, all
internal lubricated parts, torque converter, transfer case,
transmission/transaxle mounts, seals, and gaskets.
Drive Systems: Final drive housing, all internal
lubricated parts, axle shafts and bearings, constant
velocity joints, axle housing, propeller shafts, universal
joints, wheel bearings, locking hubs, front differential
actuator, supports, front and rear hub bearings,
seals and gaskets.
Whether or not any of these components is to blame for the vehicle concerns you're currently experiencing is not clear yet as your dealership (from the post) has not had the chance to check into this further.
If you would like for us to check into this further with you, we are available. Please email us at socialmedia@gm.com with more information (include your name and contact information, summary of the situation, the last 8 of your VIN and mileage, and the name of your dealership).
Sarah, GM Customer Service
Was the warranty you purchased one of our GMPPs? If so and if you have any questions about that, please let us know!We can be reached at socialmedia@gm.com (include your name, contact information, and the last 8 digits of your VIN with any inquires).
Sarah, GM Customer Service