Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 125 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Pontiac Torrent, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 31 | 25% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 18 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 4% |
| Power train | 5 | 4% |
| Structure | 4 | 3% |
| Steering | 4 | 3% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 3 | 2% |
| Engine | 3 | 2% |
| Engine | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 coul
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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, start
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 t
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 wh
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 S
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
| Reliability raw | 69 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 58 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 125 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 31 of them (25%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 69/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.