NHTSA — Electronic Stability Control Problems

2.2

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,243 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Pontiac Torrent brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Pontiac Torrent Owner Comments

problem #15

Oct 212019

Torrent

  • 138,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 same time. The vehicle makes an awful noise.

- Forsyth, GA, USA

problem #14

Nov 202016

Torrent

  • 150,000 miles
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.

- Calhoun, GA, USA

problem #13

Feb 012018

Torrent

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Torrent. The contact stated that the stability, traction control, and ABS warning indicators kept randomly flashing. In addition, while the cruise control was engaged and traveling on bumpy roads, the cruise control failed and the vehicle decelerated to the point of potentially stalling. An independent mechanic replaced the exhaust gas recirculation valve twice; however, the failures continued. Also, the diagnostic trouble codes failed to illuminate, at times, during the failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The manufacturer was notified and had not issued any recalls. The failure mileage was not available.

- Reeds Spring, MO, USA

problem #12

Nov 272017

Torrent

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Service traction control light first happened while driving during thanksgiving and has stayed on thru today Dec. 3 2017

- Moorhead, MN, USA

problem #11

Oct 102017

Torrent

  • miles
The stability light continues to come on. Now adding the check engine light. Little loss of power. Seems like a common thing with this car.

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #10

May 292017

Torrent

  • 180,000 miles
"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.

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #9

Jan 012015

Torrent

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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..

- Natrona Heights, PA, USA

problem #8

Apr 122011

Torrent

  • 32,000 miles
Service stabilitrac light came on every time the car was under hard or full throttle on dry pavement. Unit taken to the dealer under warranty and I was sent a bill to test the unit and told that unit needed a new mass air flow sensor. Took unit home, mass air flow tested out fine. I replaced the sensor one month later and the problem still exists to this date. I have tested every sensor related to the stabilitrac system on this unit and all are fine. General Motors has an issue with this stabiltrac system but is failing to admit. Research on multiple GM products verifies a consistent issue across the board. This should be a safety recall as it shuts down many of the installed safety systems when the service stabiltrac light comes on and the stabilitrac goes inactive. I have worked on cars for over 35 years and keep up to date on how newer systems function. I am not bitter towards GM as I have owned over 20 GM products in my life. This along with the steering issues need to be a safety recall before too many lives are injured or lost to force their hand on the recalls.

- Brunswick, OH, USA

problem #7

Nov 252015

Torrent

  • 155,000 miles
As I started my vehicle I noticed a message saying to service stabilitrack control. I tried pressing the button to take it off but nothing.

- Kennett, MO, USA

problem #6

Aug 152015

Torrent

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Torrent. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The electronic stability control and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Goodrich, MI, USA

problem #5

Jul 182013

Torrent

  • 99,900 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Bellefonte, PA, USA

problem #4

Jan 022015

Torrent

  • miles
For months the airbag, traction control and seatbelt lights have lit intermittently and stayed on for a few minutes or a few days. Sometimes they light immediately upon starting the vehicle or they might light up in a few minutes or in an hour or two. When there is a front seat passenger the airbag light stays on at least until the passenger gets out. After seeing the recalls for the 2007 Torrent, I believe GM has known all along about these issues and several recalls should have been issued for the 2008 Torrent.

- Warren, OH, USA

problem #3

Jul 152009

Torrent 6-cyl

  • 2,500 miles
Aside from ignition key being stuck in ignition switch, which is still that way, the engine shut off. On highway speed of 70mph. Also, the passenger air bag shows it being off.

- Mishawaka, IN, USA

problem #2

Dec 202013

Torrent

  • miles
I had to replace my tires very early on due to premature wear (I think about 35K miles) so that is the first issue. After changing my tires, I noticed the vehicle's traction control seems to fail. I will be at a dead stop and go to accelerate when my tires slip and the traction flashes. I had my tires looked at and they were deemed to be fine. Now that it is snowing, it was at its worst today. It was fishtailing while I was driving on snow/icy roads and the tires won't grip the road at all for the first 400 feet or so every single time I go from a stop. This is ridiculous and I shouldn't be afraid to drive my vehicle. I felt more comfortable driving my Pontiac vibe or Grand Am in snow than this and they didn't have traction control!! nobody is taking this seriously, but I see other reports. There should be an immediate recall!!!

- Marysville, WA, USA

problem #1

Oct 082013

Torrent

  • 56,242 miles
The first night I noticed the "service stabilitrak" light on the dashboard. The next night my battery completely died and I had to buy another one. Then, the dashboard said "service stabilitrak" sometimes and sometimes the brake light came on or it said "service traction control." From what I'm gathering online this is a common problem that will eventually lead to my "reduced engine power" light coming on and my speed will be limited to something like 10-20 mph and I'm afraid because I already work overnight and away from home. I only have a little over 56K miles on the truck and I got it a year ago with 24K miles on it. If the problem is this common, why is the vehicle not recalled? the dealership charges $80 to even put the car on the computer to see the problem...

- Lexington, MS, USA

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