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2008 Pontiac Torrent

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

99 reports with mileage · 26 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

125 reports
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2026
Air Bags

My sons who is a new driver and has a 2008 Pontiac torrent recently has had the passenger air bag light come on saying passenger airbag off when someone is sitting in the seat so I brought it in and was told that it could possibly be fixed but it’s not a guarantee that it will fix the problem and it will cost over $2500 for a ma…

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My sons who is a new driver and has a 2008 Pontiac torrent recently has had the passenger air bag light come on saying passenger airbag off when someone is sitting in the seat so I brought it in and was told that it could possibly be fixed but it’s not a guarantee that it will fix the problem and it will cost over $2500 for a maybe it’ll fix it and they had also indicated that if he was to get in a crash, the airbags will not go off because of this

NHTSA ODI #11735172

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

Electrical problems have been occurring. My lights keep getting dim, then bright. Check engine light is on, the truck is making a loud noise, overheating, battery draining fast. Please note that the battery is new, starter is new, water pump is new , I got new engine fans, radiator and the truck is still running hot, battery die…

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Electrical problems have been occurring. My lights keep getting dim, then bright. Check engine light is on, the truck is making a loud noise, overheating, battery draining fast. Please note that the battery is new, starter is new, water pump is new , I got new engine fans, radiator and the truck is still running hot, battery dies over night. I need some help this is my only vehicle and I've spent thousands of dollars trying to get this truck right over the years. Are there any affordable warranty plans available for assistance?

NHTSA ODI #11725433

165,000 miles · Feb 3, 2025
Structure

The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was vibrating excessively. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear sub frame had an excessive amount of rust. The…

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The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was vibrating excessively. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear sub frame had an excessive amount of rust. The vehicle was not repaired due to the rear wheel assembly detaching from the excessive amount of rust. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle remained at the residence and had not been driven since the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

NHTSA ODI #11640482

125,000 miles · Feb 3, 2023
Air Bags

The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated while the front passenger seat was not occupied. The vehicle was diagnosed and a failure code for the passenger presence system (PPS) was retrieved. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Numbe…

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The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated while the front passenger seat was not occupied. The vehicle was diagnosed and a failure code for the passenger presence system (PPS) was retrieved. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V061000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not yet taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #11505419

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2021
Air Bags

Service air bag light continually goes on and of randomly, at times does not recognize when someone is sitting in the passenger seat. This is a serious problem because when air bag light is on it disables the air bags which won’t deploy in a crash. I found that they recall the 2007 models for this exact problem, Now is the time …

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Service air bag light continually goes on and of randomly, at times does not recognize when someone is sitting in the passenger seat. This is a serious problem because when air bag light is on it disables the air bags which won’t deploy in a crash. I found that they recall the 2007 models for this exact problem, Now is the time to recall the 2008 for the exact same problem. This is a dealer only part which they gave me an estimate to fix of $900 if I could get a aftermarket part I would replace myself. Come on Gm recall this ongoing serious safety hazard!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11441849

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2021
Air BagsCrashInjury

The contact's friend owed a 2008 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated while the owner was driving at an unknown speed when he fell asleep and rear-ended a semi-truck. The contact was seated at the front passenger side and the air bag did not deploy but the front driver side air bag did deploy. The contact stated the driver had a …

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The contact's friend owed a 2008 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated while the owner was driving at an unknown speed when he fell asleep and rear-ended a semi-truck. The contact was seated at the front passenger side and the air bag did not deploy but the front driver side air bag did deploy. The contact stated the driver had a laceration on his right arm and she had lacerations on the top right forehead, lip, and right nostril. The contact stated they both sought medical attention and she was needing cosmetic surgery for her nose. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact stated she the insurance deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11440620

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2020
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON

NHTSA ODI #11366679

125,000 miles · Aug 17, 2020
Air Bags

THE VEHICLES AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS INTERMITTENT ON SHOWING THE AIRBAG LIGHT (SERVICE AIRBAG SOON). ALSO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES FROM ON TO OFF PERIODICALLY AND NOW LATER ON MONTHS LATER THE SYSTEM ALWAYS STAYS ON OFF EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE READ ABOUT OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE ON THEIR 2007 MODE…

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THE VEHICLES AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS INTERMITTENT ON SHOWING THE AIRBAG LIGHT (SERVICE AIRBAG SOON). ALSO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES FROM ON TO OFF PERIODICALLY AND NOW LATER ON MONTHS LATER THE SYSTEM ALWAYS STAYS ON OFF EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE READ ABOUT OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE ON THEIR 2007 MODEL TORRENTS AND THEY HAVE A TSB FOR A RECALL ON THIS. HOWEVER MY 2008 TORRENT DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL? THIS IS UNSAFE, TOO EXPENSIVE FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON TO PAY TO FIX, AND A PROBLEM GM SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX FOR USING FAULTY SRS COMPONENTS.

NHTSA ODI #11349766

138,000 miles · Oct 21, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesWheels

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN, IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON THEIR OWN. THE SERVICE STABILTRAK LIGHT BLINKS, STABILITRAK OFF, AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF FLASH. IT FEELS AS IF THE WHEELS DO NOT SLOW AT THE SAME TIME. THE VEHICLE MAKES AN AWFUL NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #11269958

70,000 miles · Sep 18, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A VERY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WILSON COUNTY MOTORS (903 SOUTH HARDEN DR, LEBANON, TN), B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A VERY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WILSON COUNTY MOTORS (903 SOUTH HARDEN DR, LEBANON, TN), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11256332

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.