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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

Electrical System complaints

15 reports
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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

125,000 miles · Feb 10, 2019
Electrical System

POWER WINDOW AND LOCKS STOPPED WORKING. WIRING HARNESS FROM DRIVERS DOOR TO BODY HAD SEVERAL BROKEN WIRES. HARNESS IS TOO SHORT AND WIRE IS UNDERSIZED FOR APPLICATION AND HARD, CRACKED AND BROKEN. OTHER DOORS WILL LIKELY MALFUNCTION.8

NHTSA ODI #11176054

122,000 miles · Jan 2, 2019
Electrical SystemFire

200 PONTIAC TORRENT ..SNOW MELTED AND THE WATER LEAKED INTO THE FUSE BOX AND IMITATED A FIRE .IT SHORTED OUT THE SYSTEM CAUGHT FIRE I. WHICH FIRE GUARD DID NOT PROTECT AND THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED .IT BURNED RIGHT THRU THE WINDSHIELD INTO THE INSIDE OF DASH .FIREMEN WERE CALLED .VEHICLE IS DESTROYED.VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN D…

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200 PONTIAC TORRENT ..SNOW MELTED AND THE WATER LEAKED INTO THE FUSE BOX AND IMITATED A FIRE .IT SHORTED OUT THE SYSTEM CAUGHT FIRE I. WHICH FIRE GUARD DID NOT PROTECT AND THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED .IT BURNED RIGHT THRU THE WINDSHIELD INTO THE INSIDE OF DASH .FIREMEN WERE CALLED .VEHICLE IS DESTROYED.VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY .WE WERE WOKEN AT 1:00 A.M YO OUR VEHIVHLE FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

NHTSA ODI #11164512

110,000 miles · Mar 12, 2018
Electrical SystemStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC LEVER ON THE HATCH FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY; THEREFORE, THE HATCH WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO MANUAL FUNCTION. ON STAR WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CHECK THE OWNER'S MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC LEVER ON THE HATCH FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY; THEREFORE, THE HATCH WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO MANUAL FUNCTION. ON STAR WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CHECK THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #11078655

80,000 miles · Dec 4, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Suspension

SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT FIRST HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DURING THANKSGIVING AND HAS STAYED ON THRU TODAY DEC. 3 2017

NHTSA ODI #11052134

34,000 miles · May 13, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructureCrashInjury

TAKAYA RECALL AND MORE ..AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED IN ACCIDENT. KEY WON'T COME OUT OF IGNITION WHEN HEATED UP, DOOR LOCKS WITH REMOTE FAILURE, HATCHBACK DOESN'T CLOSE PROPERLY, WIPER BLADE ON BACK GOES ON WHILE NOT ENGAGED OR CLOSING HATCHBACK. NHTS CALLED ME FOR PICTURES AND SENT IN NEVER HEARD FROM THEM AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10985481

99,500 miles · Apr 16, 2017
Electrical System

....OWNED SINCE NEW, 2008, 99,500 MILES, INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL, OCCURRING AT TIMES SINCE NEW, PAST FEW YEARS MORE SO..2 ISSUES MIGHT BE RELATED..#1; AT TIMES DASH LIGHTS, RADIO, AIR BAG SYSTEM NOT ACTIVATED AFTER STARTING AND DRIVING AWAY..#2; STARTER WILL NOT "CRANK" WITH KEY OR REMOTE, HAVE CYCLED KEY NUMEROUS TIMES, SHIFTED…

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....OWNED SINCE NEW, 2008, 99,500 MILES, INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL, OCCURRING AT TIMES SINCE NEW, PAST FEW YEARS MORE SO..2 ISSUES MIGHT BE RELATED..#1; AT TIMES DASH LIGHTS, RADIO, AIR BAG SYSTEM NOT ACTIVATED AFTER STARTING AND DRIVING AWAY..#2; STARTER WILL NOT "CRANK" WITH KEY OR REMOTE, HAVE CYCLED KEY NUMEROUS TIMES, SHIFTED IN AND OUT OF PARK, OPENED AND CLOSED HOOD, AFTER THOSE ATTEMPTS, STARTER WOULD "CRANK" AND START VEHICLE, RECENTLY WITH "NO CRANK" SYMPTOM, LEFT KEY ON AND WENT TO SHIFT I/O PARK, HIT "BRAKE PEDAL" AND W/OUT TOUCHING "KEY" (STILL IN ON POSITION) VEHICLE "CRANKED" AND STARTED! DEFINITELY AN ELECTRICAL SAFETY ISSUE, CONTACTED MFG. THEY REFERRED ME TO A DEALER! CHECKED WEB BLOGS AND NOTICED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS RELATING TO MINE WHICH INCL. DEALER NON REPAIRS ISSUES (BATTERY OK, NEW STARTER).....THANKS VJD!

NHTSA ODI #10978675

20,000 miles · Jun 5, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructureCrashInjury

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND OFF EVEN WHEN MY SISTER WHO IS APPROX. 140LBS SITTING IN PSGR SEAT. THIS WAS RECALLED FOR 2007 BUT SHOULD ADD 2008. THIS VEHICLE WAS ONLY BUILT AS LIMITED EDITION BETWEEN 2007 AND 2008. WE HAD A REAR END AND FRONT END COLLISION AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN CAR WAS TOTAL IN BACK END. WE WERE ACTUALLY…

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AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND OFF EVEN WHEN MY SISTER WHO IS APPROX. 140LBS SITTING IN PSGR SEAT. THIS WAS RECALLED FOR 2007 BUT SHOULD ADD 2008. THIS VEHICLE WAS ONLY BUILT AS LIMITED EDITION BETWEEN 2007 AND 2008. WE HAD A REAR END AND FRONT END COLLISION AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN CAR WAS TOTAL IN BACK END. WE WERE ACTUALLY HIT AND PUSHED ON TOP OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF US TO THE MIDDLE OF HER ROOF. THEY REPAIRS CAR AT DEALER AND STILL AIR BAG LIGHT AND RESET SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL GOES OFF AND ON WHETHER SOMEONE SITTING THERE OR NOT. DANGERIOUS..... THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND IMPACT WAS A PICKUP TRUCK 1992 HEAVY DUTY HIT US AT APPROX. 60 MPH. HE NEVER HIT BREAKS AND WE KEPT GOING TIL I WAS STOPPED ON THE ROOF OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. WE ARE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. SISTER AFTER TWO YEARS IS STILL SUFFERING PERM INJURIES FOR LIFE. I SUFFERED AND HAVE A PERM BRACE ON FOOT FROM HITTING BREAK TWICE REALLY HARD. #1 IS MY CAR DAMAGED IN REAR, #2 IS THE TRUCK WHO HIT US, #3 IS THAT TIRE CAME OUT OF THE BACK OF TRUCK ON IMPACT....THRU THE WINDOW... PROOF OF HOW HARD WE WERE HIT WITH INJURES. THEY TRANSPORTED TO HOSP OTHER DRIVER, I THOUGHT I WAS OK BUT WAS IN SHOCK AND ONLY WORRIED ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE. NEXT DAY WAS TREATED FOR INJURIES AS WELL AS SISTER TREATED AND STILL ON GOING.

NHTSA ODI #10872585

85,000 miles · Mar 6, 2016
Electrical System

DIVER'S DOOR POWER WINDOWS, POWER DOOR LOCK AND DOOR OPEN/CLOSED SENSOR NOT WORKING DUE TO BROKEN WIRES IN BETWEEN CAR AND DOOR. LOOKS LIKE WIRES ARE TOO SHORT AND HAVE BROKEN.

NHTSA ODI #10840147

99,900 miles · Oct 21, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ARE CONSTANTLY COMING ON. OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS, I CONSTANTLY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE"; "SERVICE STABILITRAK"; AND "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHTS COMING ON. I LIVE IN PA AND WAS DRIVING TO MISSISSIPPI WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED AND NEEDLESS TO SAY I PANICKED. I CALLED BACK HOME TO MY DEALER…

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LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ARE CONSTANTLY COMING ON. OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS, I CONSTANTLY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE"; "SERVICE STABILITRAK"; AND "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHTS COMING ON. I LIVE IN PA AND WAS DRIVING TO MISSISSIPPI WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED AND NEEDLESS TO SAY I PANICKED. I CALLED BACK HOME TO MY DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I SHOULD BE OKAY UNTIL I GOT HOME, THAT I ONLY NEEDED TO BE CONCERNED IF THE ROADS WERE WET. IT WAS ON THE ENTIRE TRIP AND BY THE TIME I GOT HOME AND WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT TURNED OFF. THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY. NOW IT COMES ON WHENEVER IT WANTS TO AND STAYS ON FOR DAYS. THEN IT GOES OFF FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN COMES ON AGAIN. NO RHYME OR REASON AS TO WHAT CAUSES IT. I'M CONCERNED THAT IT MAY BE CAUSING A BIGGER PROBLEM. NOT HAPPY THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY RESOLVE TO THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10785177

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.