Heat went out with out warning. Upon researching online found it's a common problem and should be recalled. The actuator was the cause of the broken shaft on the blend door. The actuator had rotated too far, beyond its limits, and overpowered the plastic shaft on the door. This actuator isn't just a simple motor. As you know, an electric motor spins when power is applied. The actuator is a small electric motor connected to a gear-reduction unit, with a position-sensing device that is monitored by the body control module (BCM), which is a computer that controls a bunch of stuff not related to the engine or powertrain. When the position sensor indicates that the actuator is at the end of its range of travel, the BCM shuts off power to the motor. The output shaft on the actuator should never be able to reach the degree of rotation that is shown above. Why did that happen" did the BCM malfunction and apply power too long" I doubt it... because electronic circuits are less likely to malfunction than electro-mechanical devices. I'm going to have to assume that the actuator is faulty... that the position-sensing device (probably just a variable resistor) developed an open circuit, or an internal short circuit, or something. This kind of problem bugs me (and a lot of other people) because General Motors has not issued a recall to fix what can be a safety problem... no heat means you can't defrost or de-fog your windshield. What's worse... GM has not even issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) about this problem to advise dealership service departments about the how's and why's of this malfunction. So I'm a bit concerned that the new actuator might malfunction just like the first one. If GM had issued a tsb, I'd be assured that the engineers had solved the faulty actuator problem, and that all the replacement parts had been revised and improved, and the heat would work just fine for years to come. But I don't have that confidence. Recall needed. Dangerous.

- Warsaw, VA, USA

I own a 2006 Pontiac Torrent. Overnight the heater stopped working in my vehicle. The blower fan and all the switches are fine. Airflow does change from vent to floor to defrosters. When I turn the temperature knob to hot air, only cold air comes out no mater what the setting is on the mode door. I brought it to my mechanic and they ran a diagnostic. My temperature gauge was fine as was my coolant level. They advised that the temperature shaft is broken inside the heater box and would need to be fixed by removing the entire dash labor cost alone is above 1000K. I called GM to ask what they will do to assist with the cost but since there is no recall or class action they will not help to repair the damaged heater door. Online there were over 325 complaints of the exact same issue when I just put in 2006 Pontiac heater as a search. Note that this vehicle is only 5 years old and garaged at all times this should not have happened and is a safety issue especially since I no longer have heat in the car and Transport children daily.

- Sykesville, MD, USA

2006 Pontiac Torrent, 33,350 miles. Heat stopped working. Took the car to an auto repair shop. Problem was diagnosed as a broken air blend door. Part cost around $65. Cost to repair, approximately $1000. Mechanic explained that the entire dash board needs to be removed to repair this "cheap part". the majority of the cost is labor. Could not see out of my windows this morning because the defrost is not working properly due to this problem. GM should have a safety recall for this part. In doing research, this is a very common problem and needs to be addressed by General Motors. The dealer will not reduce the cost of this repair because of the labor involved. This is a definite safety issue. People need heat in their car and they also need a proper defrost system. Many people, myself included can not afford a $1000. Repair bill on a "cheap part" with no guarantee that it will not break again.

- Claymont, DE, USA

I have a 2006 Pontiac Torrent, that is/was driven by my son who was on his way home from work. The highway he was driving on has a speed limit of 65 mph, with a leniency of going 70 mph. Well there is construction of repaving the highway, well not all of the repaving was done especially getting onto the off ramp which has a high 2-3 inch drop off of asphalt. Approx. 1/4 mile of the highway getting onto the off ramp which was not paved completely still having the 2-3 inch drop off of asphalt. While my son was crossing over to get onto the off ramp, the paved drop off grabbed one or both of the left driver tires, which caused a steering and control problem to cause him to over correct onto a grassy dirt area on his right. He hit a tire mark that was left there from other accidents in the same area while the dirt was wet. As he hit this previous tire mark, he rolled the car three times. He was wearing his seat belt thank god, and having his seat slightly leaned back the seat belt locked and prevented him from hitting the steering wheel. However, the 2006 Pontiac Torrent has a rollover sensor that the car has as part of the security package, as well as onstar. As the car rolled the sensor did not sense the car rolling which resulted in not one of the air bags this car has was ever deployed at the time of car rolling to protect my son, which would be driver and passenger air bags and side curtain air bags. I took pictures of the head liner hanging and the air bags still rolled up on the inside. And onstar never detected the accident to get emergency help for my son. A bystander called for help. Thanks to god my son was able to walk a way from his car with mild injuries from him wearing his seat belt in spite of the air bags and onstar not working. The paramedics were surprised from looking at the damage of his car that my son was able to get himself out and walk away thanks to the seat belt. As for the car it's totaled beyond repair.

- Lakewood, CO, USA