VehicleVerdict

2008 Volvo XC90 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2008 Volvo XC90 sits mid-pack among XC90 years: 44 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 52, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 11 reports (25% of the total).

44

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other XC90 years?

XC90 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted669 complaints2003: 149 complaints2004: 669 complaints2005: 304 complaints2006: 73 complaints2007: 59 complaints2008: 44 complaints2009: 11 complaints2010: 16 complaints2011: 30 complaints2012: 6 complaints2013: 13 complaints2014: 7 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 307 complaints2017: 114 complaints2018: 64 complaints2019: 53 complaints2020: 45 complaints2021: 56 complaints2022: 46 complaints2023: 69 complaints2024: 52 complaints2025: 34 complaints
XC90 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XC90 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Volvo XC90 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1125%
Engine818%
Seat Belts49%
Other49%
Transmission49%
Fuel System37%
Brakes25%
Airbags12%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Lighting12%
Seats12%
Speed Control12%
Steering12%
Body & Structure12%
Tires & Wheels12%

Does the 2008 Volvo XC90 have recalls?

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

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.

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.

07V563000Visibility & WipersDecember 12, 2007 · 37,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE (CCM) MAY RECEIVE A 'SHUT-DOWN SIGNAL' FROM THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) AFTER IGNITION KEY INSERTION. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL FUNCTIONS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE (INCLUDING THE DEFROSTER) DURING THAT DRIVING CYCLE.

Consequence

INOPERATIVE DEFROSTERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE IMPAIRED VISIBILITY WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy

THE ECM SOFTWARE WILL BE UPGRADED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 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.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE YAW SENSORS A AND D NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 6, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH FAILED TO RESPOND. THE DRIVER VEERED OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 30, 2019 · fire

“MY 2005 T6 HAS ALREADY HAD A TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 25K MILES (UNDER WARRANTY). THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION RECENTLY SLIPPED GEARS WITH 32K MILES AND THE DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS "OLDER" VERSION OF THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE CODE WHICH CAUSED IT TO HAPPEN. *TR ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 9, 2008

“ADVISED BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE LOCKING MECHANISM TENDED TO HANG-UP. HOWEVER WE DID NOT QUALIFY BECAUSE WE DIDN'T REQUEST REPLACEMENT WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD. VEHICLE HAS REGULARLY BEEN MAINTAINED BY VOLVO DEALER AND THEY WERE IN THE KNOW IF THE BELTS WERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · June 9, 2013

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH FAILED TO RESPOND. THE DRIVER VEERED OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 30, 2019 · fire

2008 Volvo XC90 — common questions

Is the 2008 Volvo XC90 reliable?

It is close to typical for the XC90: 44 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2008 XC90 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (11 complaints), engine (8 complaints), transmission (4 complaints).

Does the 2008 Volvo XC90 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Volvo XC90. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volvo XC90 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the XC90 years to avoid are 2004, 2016, 2005, 2003, 2017. The cleanest record among XC90 years belongs to 2015.

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.