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2008 Pontiac Torrent Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 125 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Pontiac Torrent, most often about the air bags (37% of complaints, typically around 77,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Torrent model year since 2000.

Complaints125
Recalls0
Crashes reported5
Fires reported2
Injuries reported10

Most common 2008 Pontiac Torrent problems

  1. Air bags

    46 complaints · 37%

    Half of these problems showed up before 77,500 miles.

    The passenger seat air bag sensor is faulty. It will not stay active when there is a person seating in the passenger seat. Everytime I turn on the car the check air bag light turns on. This is a common problem with these vehicles.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 80,000 miles
    This vehicle has been full of problems. First it was losing power when turning corners or changing lanes. Had to have that fixed.. Next power steering went out not long after had the power issue fixed. Next the driver door would no longer lock. Had that fixed in 2015. Then in 2015 started noticing the airbag light was…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 80,000 miles

  2. Fuel system

    28 complaints · 22%

    Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles.

    In may of 2012, I noticed a strong fuel smell coming from the right rear of my vehicle. At first I thought that it might have been a bad fuel cap, so I replaced it. That did not help. Since I was planning a trip across country I had a mechanic friend check it out. He said that he could not tell where it was coming…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 73,000 miles
    The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Torrent. The contact smelled fuel inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the fuel pump assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 74,053.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 74,053 miles

  3. Electrical

    15 complaints · 12%

    Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles.

    Battery died, and after getting a boost the stabilitrack light track came on. My steering wheel became very hard to steer. Turning was almost impossible. I ran into a curb while trying to turn.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 85,000 miles
    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.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 85,000 miles

  4. Stability control

    15 complaints · 12%

    Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles.

    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 99,900 miles
    The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Torrent. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The electronic stability control and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 120,000 miles

  5. Engine

    13 complaints · 10%

    Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.

    Car refused to accelerate when I tried to get out of a dangerous situation. Had to floor the accelerator and engine light lit up for a few minutes only. Jerking (lack of acceleration) continued until called gm ho and connected with my dealer under "special coverage." had to take a mechanic on the road and duplicate to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 67,000 miles
    I heard a slight clattering coming from under the hood one afternoon on my way to town. I pulled over the side of the road, called on star to ask them to run a diagnostic.the on star adviser said to take it to the dealership, they think there is a problem with the power train.I took it to the dealership. After…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 71,000 miles

  6. Body and structure

    9 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.

    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 report to NHTSA, 2018, at 110,000 miles
    Within 1 month of each other 2 valve stems broke. Tire went from being right on tire pressure to no tire pressure in seconds. Valve stem broke once by removing valve stem cap and the other one removing tire pump nozzle. Both times tires went completely flat in seconds. Dealership charged me about $325 to replace these…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 91,000 miles

  7. Transmission

    8 complaints · 6%

    Half of these problems showed up before 79,500 miles. Parts named most often: driveline.

    Valve spring on cylinder 6 collapsed and created a misfire on that cylinder. The head had to be removed and machined. It caused bad acceleration from idle to almost 10mph. They replaced the spring, rocker, and push rod among other things, I.e. Gaskets.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 66,377 miles
    Driving and had to stop fast. When safe to continue driving, unable to accelerate and the transmission would not engage and the ses light was on. Had several trouble codes including p0700. Was diagnosed by mechanic to be the 3-5 clutch wave plate.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 93,000 miles

  8. Steering

    8 complaints · 6%

    Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system.

    Battery died, and after getting a boost the stabilitrack light track came on. My steering wheel became very hard to steer. Turning was almost impossible. I ran into a curb while trying to turn.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 85,000 miles
    This vehicle has been full of problems. First it was losing power when turning corners or changing lanes. Had to have that fixed.. Next power steering went out not long after had the power issue fixed. Next the driver door would no longer lock. Had that fixed in 2015. Then in 2015 started noticing the airbag light was…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 80,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2008 Pontiac Torrent recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2008 Pontiac Torrent

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Pontiac Torrent?
By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (46 complaints, typically around 77,500 miles); fuel system (28 complaints, typically around 73,000 miles); electrical (15 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2008 Pontiac Torrent have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2008 Pontiac Torrent. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2008 a bad year for the Pontiac Torrent?
It is the 3rd most complained-about Torrent model year since 2000, with 125 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Pontiac Torrent years

Pontiac Torrent problems by year