AI Damage2008 Pontiac Torrent: common problems
Owners of the 2008 Pontiac Torrent filed 125 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and fuel/propulsion system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 125
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 37% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 4 Electronic stability control 12% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 7% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 6% of all complaints
- Air bags: 46 complaints (37% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 25 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 15 complaints (12% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electronic stability control: 15 complaints (12% of all).
- Engine: 11 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.4 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 125 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 46 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 25 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 15 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
My air bag did not deploy in a front end and rear end collison where I was hit at a dead stop and the truck was going 60 mph. Car was repaired by geico repair shop in tampa, fl. The air bags still don't work and the light still off and on whether someone is sitting there or not.
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.
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.
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 ([address], lebanon, tn), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 70,000.
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?
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 3,035 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 8% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Torrent has 156 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 125, below average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Pontiac Torrent?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, fuel/propulsion system, electrical system. Total complaints: 125. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (23%), warning lights, check engine (18%), fuel system, fuel smell (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Pontiac Torrent?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2008 Pontiac Torrent from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2008 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.