VehicleVerdict

2008 Volvo S60 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 2008 Volvo S60 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

14

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other S60 years?

S60 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted262 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 1 complaints2001: 262 complaints2002: 248 complaints2003: 168 complaints2004: 262 complaints2005: 57 complaints2006: 42 complaints2007: 34 complaints2008: 14 complaints2009: 9 complaints2011: 5 complaints2012: 167 complaints2013: 105 complaints2014: 35 complaints2015: 81 complaints2016: 34 complaints2017: 17 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 31 complaints2020: 22 complaints2021: 12 complaints2022: 28 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 31 complaints2025: 0 complaints
S60 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S60 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Volvo S60 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control429%
Engine214%
Transmission214%
Airbags214%
Visibility & Wipers17%
Electrical System17%
Fuel System17%
Other17%

Does the 2008 Volvo S60 have recalls?

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

21V766000AirbagsSeptember 30, 2021 · 259,383 units

Defect

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2006 S80 and 2001-2009 S60 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10125.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO S60. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITH THE CONTACTS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, RESULTING IN A CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 19, 2010 · crash

“ON THE ABOVE DATE I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE TO PULL OUT OF PARKING SPACE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER RELEASING MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE AND BEFORE TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR ACCELERATED IN REVERSE SO FAST THAT I BOUNCED OFF A CEMENT POLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARKING LOT. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 6, 2012 · crash

“My vehicle was involved in a head on collison on 10-30-2021. My driver side air bag came out but had a hole in it while my passenger side airbags didn't come out at all. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 30, 2021 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE STALLED A SECOND TIME WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 30, 2014

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HEADING TO SAN DIEGO DURING EVENING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE TRAFFIC HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND AS TRAFFIC WAS STARTING AGAIN AS I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. THERE WERE NO DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATORS TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 1, 2015

2008 Volvo S60 — common questions

Is the 2008 Volvo S60 reliable?

The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2008 S60 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (4 complaints), airbags (2 complaints), engine (2 complaints).

Does the 2008 Volvo S60 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Volvo S60. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volvo S60 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S60 years to avoid are 2004, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2005. The cleanest record among S60 years belongs to 2025.

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.