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2008 Pontiac Torrent problems

The most common problem on the 2008 Pontiac Torrent is airbags, typically around 80,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Torrent model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
85/100
Owner complaints
125
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
915
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
19mpg
Typical repair
$900

The worst 2008 Pontiac Torrent problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Pontiac Torrent

Airbag light 29Fuel smell 11Fuel pump 10Check engine light 9Fuel leak 6Door locks 5

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Pontiac Torrent 915

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 915 bulletins for the 2008 Pontiac Torrent

2008 Pontiac Torrent fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.6L 6‑cylFWD162419
3.4L 6‑cylFWD172419
3.4L 6‑cyl4WD172419
3.6L 6‑cyl4WD162419

What 2008 Pontiac Torrent owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 1, 2026 · Airbags · WI

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

Filed Mar 19, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MS

Electrical problems have been occurring. My lights keep getting dim, then bright. 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. I need some help this is my only vehicle and I've spent thousands of dollars trying to get this truck right over the years. Are there any affordable warranty plans available for assistance?

Filed Feb 3, 2025 · Body · 165,000 miles · WI

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.

Filed Feb 3, 2023 · Airbags · 125,000 miles · AZ

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Nov 28, 2021 · Airbags · WI

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!!!!

Filed Nov 16, 2021 · Airbags · OH · crash · 2 injuries

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.

Filed Oct 27, 2020 · Airbags · WI

Air bag light is on

Filed Aug 17, 2020 · Airbags · 125,000 miles · IN

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.

Filed Oct 21, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 138,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Sep 18, 2019 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · TN

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.

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Compare the 2008 Pontiac Torrent

Other model years

2006200720082009

Questions about the 2008 Pontiac Torrent

Is the 2008 Pontiac Torrent reliable?

Owners have filed 125 complaints about the 2008 Pontiac Torrent, fewer than a typical Torrent model year.

What is the 2008 Pontiac Torrent year score?

The 2008 Pontiac Torrent scores 85 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Pontiac Torrent: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Pontiac Torrent?

Airbags, with 46 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles. Next is fuel system (28).

How many recalls does the 2008 Pontiac Torrent have?

No recalls on record.

What year does the Pontiac Torrent have bad airbags?

The Pontiac Torrent model years with the most airbags complaints are 2007 (53 complaints), 2008 (46 complaints) and 2006 (10 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Pontiac Torrent get?

Official estimates for the 2008 Pontiac Torrent range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.6L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16 city and 24 highway.

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