Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Mar 19, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 125 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
6
What this page shows
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 Pontiac Torrent submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming electrical
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 19, 2026
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?
NHTSA ID
11725433
Incident
Mar 11, 2020
Electrical
Filed Feb 10, 2019
POWER WINDOW AND LOCKS STOPPED WORKING. WIRING HARNESS FROM DRIVERS DOOR TO BODY HAD SEVERAL BROKEN WIRES. HARNESS IS TOO SHORT AND WIRE IS UNDERSIZED FOR APPLICATION AND HARD, CRACKED AND BROKEN. OTHER DOORS WILL LIKELY MALFUNCTION.8
NHTSA ID
11176054
Incident
Feb 4, 2019
Mileage
125,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 2, 2019
Fire reported
200 PONTIAC TORRENT ..SNOW MELTED AND THE WATER LEAKED INTO THE FUSE BOX AND IMITATED A FIRE .IT SHORTED OUT THE SYSTEM CAUGHT FIRE I. WHICH FIRE GUARD DID NOT PROTECT AND THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED .IT BURNED RIGHT THRU THE WINDSHIELD INTO THE INSIDE OF DASH .FIREMEN WERE CALLED .VEHICLE IS DESTROYED.VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY .WE WERE WOKEN AT 1:00 A.M YO OUR VEHIVHLE FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES.
NHTSA ID
11164512
Incident
Dec 30, 2018
Mileage
122,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Mar 12, 2018
TL* 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'S MANUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ID
11078655
Incident
Mar 12, 2018
Mileage
110,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalSuspension
Filed Dec 4, 2017
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT FIRST HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DURING THANKSGIVING AND HAS STAYED ON THRU TODAY DEC. 3 2017
NHTSA ID
11052134
Incident
Nov 27, 2017
Mileage
80,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical
Filed May 13, 2017
Crash reported2 injuries reported
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
Electrical
Filed Apr 16, 2017
....OWNED SINCE NEW, 2008, 99,500 MILES, INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL, OCCURRING AT TIMES SINCE NEW, PAST FEW YEARS MORE SO..2 ISSUES MIGHT BE RELATED..#1; AT TIMES DASH LIGHTS, RADIO, AIR BAG SYSTEM NOT ACTIVATED AFTER STARTING AND DRIVING AWAY..#2; STARTER WILL NOT "CRANK" WITH KEY OR REMOTE, HAVE CYCLED KEY NUMEROUS TIMES, SHIFTED IN AND OUT OF PARK, OPENED AND CLOSED HOOD, AFTER THOSE ATTEMPTS, STARTER WOULD "CRANK" AND START VEHICLE, RECENTLY WITH "NO CRANK" SYMPTOM, LEFT KEY ON AND WENT TO SHIFT I/O PARK, HIT "BRAKE PEDAL" AND W/OUT TOUCHING "KEY" (STILL IN ON POSITION) VEHICLE "CRANKED" AND STARTED! DEFINITELY AN ELECTRICAL SAFETY ISSUE, CONTACTED MFG. THEY REFERRED ME TO A DEALER! CHECKED WEB BLOGS AND NOTICED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS RELATING TO MINE WHICH INCL. DEALER NON REPAIRS ISSUES (BATTERY OK, NEW STARTER).....THANKS VJD!
NHTSA ID
10978675
Incident
Apr 14, 2017
Mileage
99,500 mi
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical
Filed Jun 5, 2016
Crash reported4 injuries reported
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
Electrical
Filed Mar 6, 2016
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.
NHTSA ID
10840147
Incident
Oct 15, 2015
Mileage
85,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 21, 2015
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 MY DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I SHOULD BE OKAY UNTIL I GOT HOME, THAT I ONLY NEEDED TO BE CONCERNED IF THE ROADS WERE WET. IT WAS ON THE ENTIRE TRIP AND BY THE TIME I GOT HOME AND WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT TURNED OFF. THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHY. NOW IT COMES ON WHENEVER IT WANTS TO AND STAYS ON FOR DAYS. THEN IT GOES OFF FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN COMES ON AGAIN. NO RHYME OR REASON AS TO WHAT CAUSES IT. I'M CONCERNED THAT IT MAY BE CAUSING A BIGGER PROBLEM. NOT HAPPY THAT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY RESOLVE TO THIS.
NHTSA ID
10785177
Incident
Jul 18, 2013
Mileage
99,900 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 19, 2015
IGNITION SWITCH STARTED GETTING STUCK AND KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT. HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND A COUPLE TIMES ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. HAS DRAINED THE BATTERY A COUPLE TIMES NOW REQUIRING EMERGENCY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10706496
Incident
Feb 15, 2015
Mileage
71,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Apr 12, 2015
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. *TR
NHTSA ID
10705193
Incident
Apr 12, 2015
Mileage
85,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalSuspension+1 more
Filed Jun 13, 2014
THE VEHICLE AIR BAG SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT IS FAULTY. SHOWS AIRBAG OFF WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT. THE FRONT/PASSENGER DOOR WIRE HARNESS IS TOO TIGHT WHICH END RESULT IS BOTH WINDOWS DO NOT WORK BECAUSE THE HARNESS WIRES HAVE SNAPPED DUE TO THEM BEING DRAWN SO TIGHT.... I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS/ALL WIRES AS WELL AS DRIVE SHAFT ALL OF A SUDDEN WAS BROKEN TOO. BOTH WHEEL HUBS REPLACED ON FRONT OF VEHICLE ~ SERVICE TO STABILITRAK NUMEROUS OF TIMES.... NOW I'M DRIVING AROUND WITH A TICK IN THE MOTOR WITH 120,000 MILES ON IT..... THIS VEHICLE HAS TURNED OUT TO BE A NIGHTMARE!!!!! AND OF COURSE THE DEALER ONLY WANTS $498.00 TO JUST HOOK UP THE TECH 2 TO LET ME KNOW ALL THAT IS WRONG!!!!!!! WOW.....I HAVE TAKEN GREAT CARE WITH BETSY INCLUDING ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE TO AND FOR WHAT I WISH I KNEW.... JUST DISAPPOINTED!!! *JS
NHTSA ID
10598001
Incident
Mar 4, 2013
Mileage
89,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 14, 2014
2008 PONTIAC TORRENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING WHEEL AND IGNITION SWITCH FREEZING UP, INTERMITTENTLY. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE TIMES, WHEN THE KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION.
NHTSA ID
10578719
Incident
Apr 1, 2014
Electrical
Filed Aug 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC TORRENT AWD. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH WHEN THE SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
NHTSA ID
10470714
Incident
Jul 25, 2012
Mileage
49,000 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own