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 ↗2009 Pontiac Torrent airbags problems
severe 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
1crash
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 6 airbags complaints filed for the 2009 Pontiac Torrent, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 35% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
Of the 4 model years of Pontiac Torrent we track for airbags problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (6).
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 ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Service passenger air bag light comes on every time car is started.also indicator light says passenger air bag is off.there is no working passenger side air bag at this time.it has been this way for over a year.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac torrent. While driving at an unknown speed, the air bag, stability control, and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 119,000.
I have a 2009 Pontiac torrent AWD. The passenger side front seat air bag 98% of the time wont turn on for my wife. She weighs 124 pds and that should be more then enough to set it to an "on" position. This is a safety hazard for her. I have had it to the dealer twice and they reset the system but I still have the same problem. The dealer tried to get gm to tell them what was up as to settings and…
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…
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac torrent. The contact stated the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the front passenger seat air bag sensor would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
Had airbags trouble with your 2009 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 2009 Pontiac Torrent?
It's a meaningful issue. 6 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?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 70,600 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2009/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.