VehicleVerdict

2008 Volvo C70 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 2008 Volvo C70 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

24

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other C70 years?

C70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted32 complaints1998: 7 complaints1999: 29 complaints2000: 32 complaints2001: 13 complaints2002: 6 complaints2003: 9 complaints2004: 21 complaints2006: 12 complaints2007: 24 complaints2008: 24 complaints2009: 13 complaints2010: 4 complaints2011: 17 complaints2012: 29 complaints2013: 16 complaints
C70 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all C70 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Volvo C70 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1042%
Other417%
Steering417%
Tires & Wheels28%
Latches & Locks14%
Brakes14%
Suspension14%
Airbags14%

Does the 2008 Volvo C70 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V508000OtherOctober 18, 2011 · 20,611 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 C70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2005, THROUGH JULY 31, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 S60 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2010, THROUGH APRIL 16, 2011, THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE KIT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN THE CORRECT INFORMATION FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL KIT.

Consequence

A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND INSTALL THE LABEL AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-201-768-7300.

10V566000Electrical SystemNovember 8, 2010 · 416 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence

AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy

VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.

08V329000SteeringJuly 23, 2008 · 1,020 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING MY 2008-2009 VEHICLES. A SECTION OF THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE WAS NOT PROPERLY VULCANIZED (CURED) AND DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE FAILS, A SUDDEN RUPTURE OF THE HOSE CAN OCCUR.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN A RAPID DRAINAGE OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE SYSTEM AND A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE PASSENGER DOOR HAS, ON AT LEAST TEN OCCASIONS, PARTIALLY OPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING . IT OPENED IN THE FIRST PHASE LIKE IT IS WHEN NOT FULLY CLOSED. MY MECHANIC SAYS THE LATCH IS BAD AND WILL AT SOME POINT OPEN ALL THE WAY. VOLVO DOES. OR SEEM ANXIOUS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE VOLVO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 26, 2020

“I believe the brake line are running along the firewall caught on fire I'm not sure if it was a brake line but it was a fire and it is at the dealer now I have not heard back from them”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 21, 2025 · fire

“THE REAR CAMBER ARMS OF THE VOLVO C 70 ARE FAILING AT AN ALARMING RATE. NOT ONLY ARE TIRES WEARING UNEVENLY AT OWNERS EXPENSE, THE FAILURE OF THE ARMS CAUSES THE CAR TO BECOME TOTALLY UNCONTROLLABLE. VOLVO IN A RECENT PUBLICATION ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BUT YET FAILS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 9, 2013 · crash

“THE REAR CAMBER ARMS OF THE VOLVO C 70 ARE FAILING AT AN ALARMING RATE. NOT ONLY ARE TIRES WEARING UNEVENLY AT OWNERS EXPENSE, THE FAILURE OF THE ARMS CAUSES THE CAR TO BECOME TOTALLY UNCONTROLLABLE. VOLVO IN A RECENT PUBLICATION ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BUT YET FAILS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 9, 2013 · crash

“On multiple occasions while driving this vehicle at various speeds various road conditions the doors will become unlocked and partially open you have to open the door and re-close it in order for the inside lights to go off because they come on when this happens. It also appears in the driver's…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · December 31, 1969

2008 Volvo C70 — common questions

Is the 2008 Volvo C70 reliable?

The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2008 C70 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (10 complaints), steering (4 complaints), other (4 complaints).

Does the 2008 Volvo C70 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Volvo C70. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volvo C70 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the C70 years to avoid are 2000. The cleanest record among C70 years belongs to 2010.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.