Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Pontiac Torrent owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
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!!!!
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
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. …
Left side windows and locks will not open with key or remote periodically. Air bag light off when sitting and comes on when no one on pasngr side. Car was rear ended and front ended but ferrman stated they fixed properly. Door locks and windows worked fine before that and air bag has been a problem but stating I have to pay for all repairs. I feel that there are enough air bag recalls to add the 2008 to the list of 2007 ones. This vehicle is a limited edition. Only two yrs made. Parts are very expensive and hard to get now. These are manufactured defects since I had the window and door lock changed on the drivers door at cost of over $400.00. And still doenst work again. After driving a few blocks and stop my doors and windows open properly. I think they were jarred in the accident and fixed by ferman properly in fl. …
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. The dealer will repair for total of $900.00 or more. I recently smelled fuel strong in the car and outside. Took to dealer and I see others complaining too about this. No ne informed owners that there is a special warranty to repair part of the problem for free. The fuel pump was cracked with only 43K miles on vehicle. The vent solenoid was not covered yet it is stuck in the open position and defective but I had been charged extra 302.00 and would like to know why they didn't include in the recalls? Both of these items were found defective but only one was recalled privately. …
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 just going on and off for the passenger seat when someone was sitting in the seat. And they all meet/exceed the weight needed to activate. Now the airbag just stays off. Now the airbag sensor is showing not activated for the driver side. And the seat belt lights are blinking. Also now I am being told the fuel pump also now needs to be replaced in the car smell strong fumes at times. Also experience sputtering once reaches 40 MPH and again around 60. Also anytime we are on an incline. And the power steering went out again on the vehicle.
"Takata recall" I have read many complaints about this same issue. It first started with my car slowing down, didn't matter how hard you press the gas it will not move. Then after letting it set of a minute/cooldown, it will ride for a few miles then complete stop with the engine still running. I notice a hot smell coming from under the hood. The traction control light and stabilitrack state that it needs service. When I drive it the brakes stop the car on its own. I took the car to GMC and it cost me $1700 for them to fix brake pressure module, brake electric control panel, I replaced hub bearings and the problem is still there. Since those things were replaced, I can drive a little longer without the hub bearings. I took my car to GMC 3 times. And my airbag light is on and they said that need to be replaced, how when it was never used.
Airbag complaints in other Torrent years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Pontiac Torrent?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Pontiac Torrent, 37% of the model year's 125 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Pontiac Torrent airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2008 Pontiac Torrent. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Pontiac Torrent airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 10 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.