This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Pontiac Torrent airbags problems
severe 40 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
3crashes
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 40 airbags complaints filed for the 2008 Pontiac Torrent, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 32% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 10 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 40 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a terminal replacement or connector re connection to correct a condition of Diagnostic Information for Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System, Intermittent AIR BAG Indicator/Lamp Illuminated with DTC(s) B0012, B0013, B0015, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 or B0044 Set (Inspect and Replace Connector Position Assurance (CPA) Retainer)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GENERAL MOTORS: DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT RESTRAINTS, AIR BAG (SIR) INDICATOR/LAMP ON WITH DTC(S) B0012, B0013, B0016, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 OR B0044 SET. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A LOOSE, MISSING, OR BROKEN CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE (CPA) RETAINER AT THE AIR BAG FOR THE SET DTC. INCLUDES TRAILBLAZER EXT. UPDATED 8/16/10. UPDATED 3/12/12.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON. UPDATED ON 12/13/07.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint across 40 narratives centers on passenger-side airbag sensor malfunction. Owners report the "Service Airbag" or "Passenger Airbag Off" warning light illuminating intermittently or staying on continuously, even when an adult occupies the seat. The light frequently cycles on and off as occupants shift position or with no apparent trigger. In some cases, the light remains off despite passenger presence, creating uncertainty about whether the airbag will deploy in a collision.
Owners consistently cite the passenger presence system (PPS) module or seat occupancy sensor as the failure point. Dealer diagnostics identify PPS module failure or sensor replacement needs. Repair estimates range from $800 to $2,500, with most quoted at $900 or higher. Several complaints note that similar PPS issues triggered a recall (NHTSA Campaign 07V344000) for 2007 Pontiac Torrents, but 2008 model year vehicles were not included despite identical symptoms. Owners express frustration that GM appears aware of the defect—given the 2007 recall—yet has not expanded coverage to 2008 models. Multiple complaints reference online discussions confirming the problem is widespread across 2008 units. One narrative describes a rear-end collision where the passenger airbag did not deploy, resulting in occupant injuries requiring cosmetic surgery. Another states airbags failed to deploy in both front and rear collisions at highway speed despite prior deployment of driver-side bags.
Same Pontiac Torrent airbags reports on nearby years: 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger Airbag Sensor/PPS Module Malfunction
Passenger presence system (PPS) module or seat occupancy sensor fails to accurately detect passenger weight and occupancy status, causing intermittent or continuous 'Service Airbag' warning light and passenger airbag disabled status even with occupant present.
When: Mileage range reported from 25,000 to 160,000 miles; failure onset varies from early ownership to later in vehicle life.
Symptoms owners cite: Service Airbag warning light illuminates intermittently or stays on continuously; Passenger Airbag Off indicator displays despite adult sitting in seat; Light cycles on and off as passenger shifts position in seat; Warning light appears for no apparent reason or during normal driving; Airbag light remains off when occupied, inconsistently recognizing passenger; System fails to distinguish between child and adult weight
Codes mentioned: PPS module failure code, Passenger airbag system fault code
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replacement of PPS module and/or seat occupancy sensor. Owner-cited repair estimates: $800–$2,500, most commonly $900. One owner was charged $302 for vent solenoid not covered under recall. Multiple owners note repair is dealer-only, no aftermarket parts available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 07V344000 (Air Bags) recalls 2007 Pontiac Torrents for identical PPS module issue; 2008 model year VINs excluded from recall despite identical symptoms reported by owners. Multiple owners state GM representatives confirmed VIN not included in recall and owner must pay full repair cost.
Airbag Non-Deployment in Collision
Passenger-side airbag fails to deploy during collision event, resulting in occupant injury. One documented case of front-passenger airbag failure-to-deploy in rear-end impact at 60 mph highway speed.
When: Collision-specific; failure documented at highway speeds (60 mph rear-end, 70 mph highway impacts reported).
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag does not deploy on impact despite collision severity; Driver-side airbag deployed but passenger-side did not; Occupant sustains head, facial, and nasal trauma requiring medical attention and cosmetic surgery
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle deemed total loss by insurance; not repaired or diagnosed. Medical treatment required for occupant injuries.
Synthesized from 40 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Pontiac torrent. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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
Air bag light is on
Had airbags trouble with your 2008 Pontiac Torrent?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2008 Pontiac Torrent?
It's a meaningful issue. 40 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 60,356 and 125,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,356; a quarter make it past 125,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Pontiac/Torrent.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.