VehicleVerdict

2008 Volvo S80 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2008 Volvo S80 sits mid-pack among S80 years: 37 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 28, with 7 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (7), other (4), and electrical system (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

37

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other S80 years?

See all S80 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Volvo S80 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System719%
Electrical System411%
Visibility & Wipers411%
Other411%
Seat Belts411%
Body & Structure38%
Airbags38%
Engine38%
Speed Control25%
Tires & Wheels13%
Suspension13%
Brakes13%

Does the 2008 Volvo S80 have recalls?

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

20V378000Seat BeltsJune 30, 2020 · 308,260 units

Defect

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.

Consequence

An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.

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.

10V335000Tires & WheelsJuly 22, 2010 · 3,635 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 S80 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND A PAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL CONTAIN INCORRECT MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE INFLATION PRESSURE AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) SOFTWARE HAS AN INCORRECT TRIGGER LEVEL.

Consequence

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIRED SAFETY STANDARDS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE VEHICLES WITH A NEW TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL, OWNER'S MANUAL LABEL AND TPMS SOFTWARE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM .

09V343000Electrical SystemSeptember 1, 2009 · 11,993 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING MY 2008-2010 S80, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2010 XC60 VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE SOFTWARE WITHIN THE CENTRAL ELECTRONIC MODULE (CEM) MAY NOT SEND A SIGNAL TO THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE (PEM). THIS MISSING SIGNAL TO THE PEM INHIBITS THE START OF THE FUEL PUMP. THE DRIVER MAY BE ABLE TO START THE ENGINE IN SPITE OF THE FUEL PUMP NOT BEING ACTIVATED DUE TO RESIDUAL PRESSURE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. IN SOME CASES, THE DRIVER MAY BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE AT IDLE BUT THEN THE ENGINE MAY STALL.

Consequence

IF THE VEHICLE STALLS IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE TO THE VEHICLES' CEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2009. VEHICLES IN DEALER'S INVENTORY WILL BE REPAIRED PRIOR TO DELIVERY. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

09V218000EngineJune 12, 2009 · 17,614 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING 17,614 MY 2008-2009 S80, V70, AND XC70 VEHICLES. THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING ERROR IN THE FAN CONTROL MODULE (FCM). DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CUSTOMER MAY EXPERIENCE REDUCED AIR CONDITIONING PERFORMANCE, AND/OR RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE.

Consequence

THIS SITUATION MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF COOLING SYSTEM FUNCTION AND ENGINE FAILURE. THE DRIVER MAY NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT TIME TO REACT TO THE WARNING LIGHT(S) OR THE TEXT MESSAGE IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AT 1-800-458-1552.

09V139000Electrical SystemApril 29, 2009 · 12,303 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING 12,303 MY 2007-2008 S80 AND V70 VEHICLES. THE DIAGNOSTIC SOFTWARE IN THE CENTRAL ELECTRONIC MODULE (CEM) MAY CAUSE A MALFUNCTION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTIONALITY. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY NOT OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED; OR IN CERTAIN CASES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY ACTIVATE WHEN NOT SWITCHED ON.

Consequence

OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS WITHOUT FUNCTIONING WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CEM AND UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 15, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AT 1-800-458-1552, OR CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM.

08V206000EngineMay 6, 2008 · 102 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING 102 MY 2008 XC90 AND S80 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT BOLTS TO THE ENGINE MOUNT.

Consequence

THE ALUMINUM BRACKET FOR THE ENGINE MOUNT COULD BREAK DUE TO LACK OF ADEQUATE CLAMPING FORCE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE SUB-FRAME, ULTIMATELY RESULTING IN A REDUCED ENGINE TORQUE OR STALLING OF THE ENGINE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS FOR SPECIFIC MARKINGS. IF ANY OF THE BOLTS CONTAIN THE INCORRECT MARKINGS, THE BRACKET AND BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OWNERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED AND ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO REPAIR THESE VEHICLES.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE FROM THE LANE OF A PARKING LOT, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, MY VOLVO S80 ACCELERATED SO POWERFULLY IT COULD BE HEARD YARDS AWAY. I APPLIED THE BRAKE HARDER BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP AND SURGED OVER A WHEEL STOP, IT WAS STILL SURGING SO I STARTED PUMPING THE BRAKE,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 10, 2018 · crash

WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE FROM THE LANE OF A PARKING LOT, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, MY VOLVO S80 ACCELERATED SO POWERFULLY IT COULD BE HEARD YARDS AWAY. I APPLIED THE BRAKE HARDER BUT THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP AND SURGED OVER A WHEEL STOP, IT WAS STILL SURGING SO I STARTED PUMPING THE BRAKE,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · January 10, 2018 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SUN ROOF FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,310.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 7, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO S80. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY BEFORE FAILING COMPLETELY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING AND REPROGRAMMING THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED BUT WAS NOT REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 25, 2012

SUNROOF BLEW UP, OR SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED. WAS NOT HIT BY AN OBJECT, LOUD SOUND WAS HEARD PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. CAR WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME, GOING ABOUT 60MPH. CONDITIONS CLEAR, COOL TEMPERATURES NOT VERY HOT OR COLD OUTSIDE.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 13, 2017

2008 Volvo S80 — common questions

Is the 2008 Volvo S80 reliable?

It is close to typical for the S80: 37 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2008 S80 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (7 complaints), other (4 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints).

Does the 2008 Volvo S80 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Volvo S80. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volvo S80 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S80 years to avoid are 2000, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2002. The cleanest record among S80 years belongs to 2014.

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.