2008 Pontiac Torrent Airbags Problems

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

NHTSA ID

11735172

Incident

May 1, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11505419

Incident

Jan 3, 2022

Mileage

125,000 mi

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!!!!

NHTSA ID

11441849

Incident

Nov 28, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11440620

Incident

Nov 11, 2021

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON

NHTSA ID

11366679

Incident

Oct 26, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID

11349766

Incident

Jul 17, 2020

Mileage

125,000 mi

MY VEHICLE HAS A SERVICE AIR BAG CODE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AN OFF WHEN SOMEONE IS RIDING IN THE SEAT, CAR IS IN MOTION. THIS IS HAPPENING ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY. IT HAPPENS DRIVING STRAIGHT AND TURNING. I OWN OTHER PONTAICS THAT HAD THE RECALL WITH THE SAME ISSUE, WHY IS THERE NO RECALL TO REPAIR AN PROBLEM THAT IS GM MISTAKE. THIS IS UNSAFE FOR ANY FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. RECALL!

NHTSA ID

11246039

Incident

Aug 22, 2019

Mileage

5 mi

MY CAR HAS THROWN A CODE FOR SERVICE AIR BAG AND WHEN IN MOTION WITH SOMEONE OVER SO MUCH WEIGHT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WILL COME ON AND OFF. SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT AND IT'S JUST A BAG OR A WALLET THE AIRBAG LIGHT TURNS ON. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO RECALL FOR MY MODEL AND I'VE READ SEVERAL POSTS WITH THIS PROBLEM. WHEN WILL THERE BE A RECALL FOR THIS. $900 IS NO WHAT I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN MY OWN CAR OR WITH MY CHILDREN IN IT.

NHTSA ID

11154442

Incident

Oct 9, 2018

MY VEHICLE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED IN THE LAST 9 TO 12 MONTHS, HOWEVER THE "SERVICE THEBAIR BAG" LIGHT IS ACTIVATED ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE LIGHT ACTIVATION IS SPORATIC EVEN WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT OR NOT. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SAME MODEL FOR THE YEAR OF 2007FOR REPLACEMENT OF A FAULTY SENSOR. . THIS RECALL SHOULD COVER AT LEAST THE 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT AS THIS IS ALSO A POTENTIAL HAZARDOUS (SAFETY ISSUE) CONDITION OF THE AIR BAG MAY OR MAY NOT BE DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ID

11150092

Incident

Sep 1, 2018

Mileage

60,356 mi

:TAKATA RECALL " AIRBAG SERVICE LIGHT COMES OFF AND ON. FIRST TIME JUST CAME ON DURING START UP.JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 2 WEEKS AGO.I WILL SUE GM IF IT CAUSED ACCIDENT. I HAVE GRANDCHILDREN I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE STAYED AWAY FROM ANYTHING OTHER THAN HONDA OR TOYOTA

NHTSA ID

11140730

Incident

Oct 15, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR DOESN'T WORK. IT DOESN'T RECONIZE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CHILD AND AN ADULT. THIS HAPPENS WHEATHER MOVING OR SITTING STILL. THIS HAS BEEN MESSED UP FOR A LONG TIME. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE ITS PARKED, OR ON ANY TYPE STREET. I'VE HAD IT CHECKED AND THE REPAIR MAN SAID HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT.

NHTSA ID

11131791

Incident

Nov 20, 2016

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOLSOM CHEVROLET (2655 AUTOMALL CIR, FOLSOM, CA 95630, PHONE NUMBER: (916) 985-5600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PPS AIR BAG MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11047027

Incident

Oct 26, 2017

Mileage

160,000 mi

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR IS BAD AND HAS BEEN BAD AND IT COST A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX IT AND I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND IT IS VERY COMMON ON THESE AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE TO NOT HAVE THE AIRBAG WORKING

NHTSA ID

11043439

Incident

Nov 5, 2017

Mileage

140,000 mi

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT DOES NOT SWITCH TO THE ON POSITION WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.

NHTSA ID

11030142

Incident

Sep 27, 2017

"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.

NHTSA ID

11001434

Incident

May 29, 2017

Mileage

180,000 mi

TAMARA RECALL. MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF WHEN THE FRONT SEAT IS USED AS SOON AS THE PERSON MOVES THEIR BUTT AROUND AND ALSO MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY GOING ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON. THE 2007 PONTIAC TORRENT GOT A RECALL FOR THE AIR BAGS AND SO SHOULD THE 2008'S THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT SAFE IF AN ACCIDENT WAS TO HAPPEN.. I ALSO HAVE CHILDREN OF MINE THAT RIDE IN MY CAR EVERYDAY AND WOULD LIKE THEM SAFE IF SOMETHING WAS TO HAPPEN

NHTSA ID

10990824

Incident

May 1, 2017

Mileage

130,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10985481

Incident

Feb 18, 2015

Mileage

34,000 mi

I WANTED TO ADD TO ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR. WE KEEP GETTING NOTIFICATION THAT IT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED WHICH COSTS UPWARDS OF $900. AT FIRST THE LIGHT JUST KEPT SWITCHING ON AND OFF WHENEVER THE PASSENGER WOULD SHIFT IN THE SEAT BUT NOW IT SAYS THAT IT'S NOT ACTIVATED ALL THE TIME AND WE BELIEVE IT'S A FAULTY SENSOR. THE 2007 MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE AND THE 2008 SHOULD BE AS WELL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR SURE AND WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS ACROSS THE BOARD BY OWNERS OF THIS CAR IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS PUT THEIR CUSTOMERS IN DANGER.

NHTSA ID

10954514

Incident

Oct 1, 2016

Mileage

80,000 mi

HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. LIGHT IS ON MOST OF THE TIME WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $800-$900 TO FIX. (ON TOP OF MY $92.00 JUST TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT). MANY SAME MODELS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON, AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK. GREAT SAFETY ISSUE!!! SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ID

10948985

Incident

Sep 14, 2016

Mileage

75,000 mi

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. UNLESS YOU ACTUALLY BRING TO DEALER YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE SPECIAL RECALL WARRANTY OFFERED. THIS TO ME IS FRAUD TO THE CONSUMER!!!! HAD VEHICLE FROM 11-7 TO 11-12 AND THE RENTAL CAR I PAID FOR NOT DEALER.

NHTSA ID

10929511

Incident

Nov 7, 2016

MY AIR BAG LIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE IS NOT AT ALL WORKING. OFF WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. NOW MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAKES ALL LIGHTS ON MY DASH TO COME ON. TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AIR BAG, AND SO ON AND SO ON. TOOK CAR TO SERVICE CENTER AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG..

NHTSA ID

10889026

Incident

Jan 1, 2015

Mileage

70,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10875866

Incident

Jun 1, 2016

Mileage

80,000 mi

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. I SUFFERED AND HAVE A PERM BRACE ON FOOT FROM HITTING BREAK TWICE REALLY HARD. #1 IS MY CAR DAMAGED IN REAR, #2 IS THE TRUCK WHO HIT US, #3 IS THAT TIRE CAME OUT OF THE BACK OF TRUCK ON IMPACT....THRU THE WINDOW... PROOF OF HOW HARD WE WERE HIT WITH INJURES. THEY TRANSPORTED TO HOSP OTHER DRIVER, I THOUGHT I WAS OK BUT WAS IN SHOCK AND ONLY WORRIED ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE. NEXT DAY WAS TREATED FOR INJURIES AS WELL AS SISTER TREATED AND STILL ON GOING.

NHTSA ID

10872585

Incident

Feb 18, 2014

Mileage

20,000 mi

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. WE WERE REAR AND FRONT ENDED AND WE WERE STOPPED AND THE TRUCK HIT US AT APPROX. 60 MILES PER HR.

NHTSA ID

10861033

Incident

Feb 14, 2014

Mileage

20,000 mi

I HAVE 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT VIN#[XXX], THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT ACTIVATE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PPS MODULE. I FEEL THAT THIS MODULE SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER A RECALL SINCE GM HAS OUTSTANDING RECALLS WITH SAME MODEL VEHICLES PRIOR TO THE 2008 MODEL, I BELIEVE THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD DEFECTIVE MODULE INSTALLED AND GM SHOULD BE MADE TO RESOLVE THIS SITUATION DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT. THANK FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THIS COMPLAINT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

NHTSA ID

10851976

Incident

Mar 13, 2014

Mileage

40,139 mi