Airbag complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Torrent. While driving 5 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the driver side door of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained back injuries and the driver of the other vehicle sustained unknown injuries. A police report was filed and medical attention was received. The contact's vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact smelled fuel inside the vehicle on numerous occasions while driving various speeds. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Air bag warning light came on. Took to the local GM dealer. They stated the "passenger presence module" was shorting out. Dealer stated the airbags May not inflate with the problem. Dealer stated the Pontiac Torrent had a recall on the 2006 thru 2008 Torrent for the problem but not the 2009. Dealer charged $798.33 to replace the module. This item should be recalled.
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.
The passenger air bag indicator light indicates passenger air bag is OFF even when an adult is sitting in the seat. Therefore. I am afraid that if the vehicle were in an accident where airbags would deploy, the front right passenger airbag would not inflate. There is a recall on the sensors for the front right passenger airbag for my vehicle make model and year but according to my VIN my vehicle is not part of that recall. I suspect it should be.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated the vehicle was previously rear ended in October of 2019, the airbags did not deploy upon impact. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the windshield glazes as she was unable to see clearly. The contact stated that the stabilitrak warning light was also illuminated. The contact sustained neck and back injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to haley Buick GMC midlothian (9831 midlothian turnpike, richmond, va 23235) where it was confirmed that the service air bag warning light was illuminated however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remains illuminated while driving. The failure mileage was 146,000
My daughter lost control of the vehicle on the evening of 11/9/16 in the rain in an "s" curve, sliding into and hitting a tree. The accident was significant enough for the car to be totaled; however, the air bags did not deploy for her nor the passenger. They both sustained some injuries to the head due to the air bags not deploying. My concern is to report the defect. There is no recall for my VIN.
I was in heavy traffic, the car in front of me stopped suddenly and I hit her from behind. My front end has a lot of damage, to the point that my radiator was leaking fluid. I am unsure how fast we were traveling, I will say around 30 MPH. My air bag did not deploy.
Related recalls (2)
Air bags
Certain passenger vehicles not equipped with optional roof rail airbags or optional sunroof fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201,"occupant protection in interior impact." during NHTSA impact tests, the interior occupant protection test points exceeded the standard requirements.
Remedy: Dealers will install an energy absorbing foam piece to each of the a-pillar trim assemblies free of charge. The recall began on May 8, 2008. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection." in these vehicles, the right front passenger seat is built with a passenger sensing system.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the seat's electronic control unit. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac Torrent years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (53), 2008 (46), 2006 (10) and 2009 (6) model years. Airbag complaints make up 22% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Pontiac Torrent airbag problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 07V-520 (air bags, Nov 7, 2007); 07V-344 (sensor/control module-inactive, Aug 7, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Pontiac Torrent airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (5 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (5).
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.