PONTIAC TORRENT · model year

2008 PONTIAC TORRENT

179 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008PONTIACTORRENT carries 179 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 3 fires, 26 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 TORRENT is air bags with 45 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (24) and electronic stability control (esc) (15). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 17 investigation files overlapping the 2008 TORRENT. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

179
Complaints
12
Crashes
3
Fires
26
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

179 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS45
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM24
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14
ENGINE10
STEERING8
STRUCTURE:BODY7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
POWER TRAIN6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
SERVICE BRAKES5
SEATS3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM3
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT2

Recent Complaints

20250203STRUCTURE

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.

Mileage: 165,000

20230203AIR 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 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.

Mileage: 125,000

20211128AIR 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 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!!!!

20211116CrashAIR BAGS

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.

20201027AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON

20200817AIR 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 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.

Mileage: 125,000

20191021SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Mileage: 138,000

20191021ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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.

Mileage: 138,000

20191021WHEELS

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.

Mileage: 138,000

20190918FUEL/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), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

20190910ENGINE

VEHICLE WITH AROUND 100K. TRACTION CONTROL HAS BEEN DISABLED FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS FOR NO REASON. GOES OFF SPORADICALLY. NOW VEHICLE IS OVERHEATING FOR NO REASON. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO INDICATIONS OF HEADGASKET. OIL IS CLEAN, OVERFLOW IS FULL, NO LEAKS TO BE SEEN. OVERHEATS MOSTLY WHEN STANDING IDLE. VEHICLE IS A HEADACHE. HOW ARE THERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE WHEN MULTIPLE PEOPLE ARE STATING THE SAME ISSUES? VEHICLE IS DRIVING NORMALLY BESIDES THAT. MOST OF OUR DRIVING IS IN TOWN / HIGHWAY DRIVING (LESS THAN 20MILES DISTANCE). WE'VE ONLY PUT 10K ON THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASING 2 YEARS AGO.

Mileage: 98,000

20190910FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

VEHICLE WITH AROUND 100K. TRACTION CONTROL HAS BEEN DISABLED FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS FOR NO REASON. GOES OFF SPORADICALLY. NOW VEHICLE IS OVERHEATING FOR NO REASON. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO INDICATIONS OF HEADGASKET. OIL IS CLEAN, OVERFLOW IS FULL, NO LEAKS TO BE SEEN. OVERHEATS MOSTLY WHEN STANDING IDLE. VEHICLE IS A HEADACHE. HOW ARE THERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE WHEN MULTIPLE PEOPLE ARE STATING THE SAME ISSUES? VEHICLE IS DRIVING NORMALLY BESIDES THAT. MOST OF OUR DRIVING IS IN TOWN / HIGHWAY DRIVING (LESS THAN 20MILES DISTANCE). WE'VE ONLY PUT 10K ON THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASING 2 YEARS AGO.

Mileage: 98,000

20190823AIR BAGS

MY VEHICLE HAS A SERVICE AIR BAG CODE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AN OFF WHEN SOMEONE IS RIDING IN THE SEAT, CAR IS IN MOTION. THIS IS HAPPENING ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY. IT HAPPENS DRIVING STRAIGHT AND TURNING. I OWN OTHER PONTAICS THAT HAD THE RECALL WITH THE SAME ISSUE, WHY IS THERE NO RECALL TO REPAIR AN PROBLEM THAT IS GM MISTAKE. THIS IS UNSAFE FOR ANY FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. RECALL!

Mileage: 5

20190314ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT (WHO WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC) STATED THAT THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) VALVE FAILED AND SHUT OFF THE ABS. ALSO, THE DISABLE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EGR VALVE FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE SHUT OFF THE ABS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE EGR VALVE AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Mileage: 104,000

20190314SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT (WHO WAS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC) STATED THAT THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) VALVE FAILED AND SHUT OFF THE ABS. ALSO, THE DISABLE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EGR VALVE FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE SHUT OFF THE ABS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE EGR VALVE AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Mileage: 104,000

20190210ELECTRICAL 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

Mileage: 125,000

20190110FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL LOOKED UNDERNEATH CAR AND REALIZED THERE IS A GAS LEAK COMING FROM THE GAS TANK AREA. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF GAS POURING OUT . AS I HAVE READ ON OTHER YEAR MODELS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM!

Mileage: 190

20190102FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 122,000

20181128AIR BAGS

MY CAR HAS THROWN A CODE FOR SERVICE AIR BAG AND WHEN IN MOTION WITH SOMEONE OVER SO MUCH WEIGHT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WILL COME ON AND OFF. SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT AND IT'S JUST A BAG OR A WALLET THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO RECALL FOR MY MODEL AND I'VE READ SEVERAL POSTS WITH THIS PROBLEM. WHEN WILL THERE BE A RECALL FOR THIS. $900 IS NO WHAT I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN MY OWN CAR OR WITH MY CHILDREN IN IT.

20181108AIR BAGS

MY VEHICLE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED IN THE LAST 9 TO 12 MONTHS, HOWEVER THE "SERVICE THEBAIR BAG" LIGHT IS ACTIVATED ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE LIGHT ACTIVATION IS SPORATIC EVEN WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT OR NOT. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SAME MODEL FOR THE YEAR OF 2007FOR REPLACEMENT OF A FAULTY SENSOR. . THIS RECALL SHOULD COVER AT LEAST THE 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT AS THIS IS ALSO A POTENTIAL HAZARDOUS (SAFETY ISSUE) CONDITION OF THE AIR BAG MAY OR MAY NOT BE DEPLOYED.

Mileage: 60,356

Compare 2008PONTIACTORRENT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT have?
The 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT has 179 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 3 fires, 26 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT?
The most-complained component for the 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT is AIR BAGS with 45 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC).
Is the 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.