2008 Volvo V70 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 9, 2024 · 11 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other V70 years
Far fewer complaints than other years 10th of 21 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Volvo V70. That ranks 10th out of 21 V70 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (6 complaints, 55%), typically at around 115,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 fire. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.

Volvo V70
2008 Volvo V70 photographed in College Park, Maryland , USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2008 Volvo V70 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System6 · ~115,000 mi
Engine3 · ~146,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling1 · ~10,000 mi
Exterior Lighting1 · ~132,000 mi
Tires1
Unknown or Other1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System655%115,000——
Engine327%146,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling19%10,000——
Exterior Lighting19%132,000——
Tires19%———
Unknown or Other19%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2019, with 3 complaints
2013: 1201312014: 1201412015: 1201512017: 2201722019: 3201932022: 1202212023: 1202312024: 120241

n = 11 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2008 Volvo V70 recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Seat belts:frontJun 30, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V378000 · 308,260 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)Nov 8, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V566000 · 416 vehicles

Problem: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.

Risk: An overheated battery could lead to a fire.

Fix: 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.

Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fanJun 12, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V218000 · 17,614 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Equipment:other:labelsJan 28, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V032000 · 1,900 vehicles

Problem: Certain vehicles equipped with rear integrated booster seats fail to comply with the labeling requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 213, "child restraint systems." labels on the affected vehicles are missing warning information indicating that 'death or serious injury can occur' if the manufacturer's instructions are not followed when using child restraint systems.

Risk: This standard specifies requirements for child restraint systems used in motor vehicles and aircraft for the purpose of reducing the number of children killed or injured in motor vehicle crashes and in aircraft.

Fix: Dealers will install a new label with the correct warning information. The recall began on february 20, 2008. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

225/55R 95H On the highway in center lane going 70mph. Car was starting to shake and then heard loud noise coming from the back. Next thing the tire blew. Tread ripped off the bumper, side rear panel, taillight and trim under the door. We were lucky to be able to pull over to the shoulder. We had…

Tires · received Aug 9, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11607598

Sunroof exploded while mechanic was driving the vehicle. Fortunately, sunroof visor was closed, so only minor amount of glass entered the vehicle, and no injury from the explosion or glass. There was no inspection by manufacturer or police, as not needed, also no warning lights, etc.

Unknown or Other · received Feb 15, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11507436

In mid summer of 2021, my car overheated randomly without any warning driving down the interstate. I pulled off immediately and cut the car off but, it was already done. The radiator cracked as a result of the engine overheating. I had the car towed to my mechanic and he replaced the radiator…

Electrical System · received May 3, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11463285

Today i received a warning message that my low beam was out. I stopped in the auto parts store and bought the passenger side low beam replacement bulb. When i went to disassemble it i noticed that the wiring harness was burnt. I'm going to replace the wiring harness but this is very concerning…

Electrical System · received Jun 12, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11219631

Mirrors passenger mirror fell from the mount on sept 2015 driver mirror fell from the mount march 2019 both incidents were while driving 2 lane roads. Flat and smooth

Electrical System · received Mar 30, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11192573

Other Volvo V70 years

← 2007 V70 · 2009 V70 →

See all Volvo V70 problems by year, every Volvo model, or the Volvo VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Volvo V70?

Owners most often report electrical system, engine, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 6 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Volvo V70?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2008 Volvo V70 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other V70 model years, the 2008 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.