2008 Volvo XC90 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other XC90 years
- Fewer complaints than other years 14th of 23 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Volvo XC90. That ranks 14th out of 23 XC90 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (8 complaints, 28%), typically at around 101,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 29owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2008 Volvo XC90 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 | 28% | 101,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 6 | 21% | 92,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 4 | 14% | 60,500 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 14% | 66,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 10% | 91,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 10% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 3 | 10% | 21,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 7% | 518 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 3% | 116,580 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 3% | 38,500 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 3% | 24,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 3% | 24,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 3% | 77,320 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 3% | 91,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 3% | 116,580 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 3% | 69,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 3% | 21,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 3% | 116,580 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2008 Volvo XC90 recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
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:engine
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: The ecm software will be upgraded. The recall began on january 28, 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.
All seatbelts in vehicle sticks and/or catches have to use seriously more pressure on release button,or seatbelt/latch itâs self or both. My wife and children have had me have to come get it because it wouldnât release. Engine motor mount bolt had to be replaced, I noticed when alternator went…
Well I was at a red light waiting for the light to train green when I stepped on the Excelerator pedal I heard something snapped and the car would not move anymore I try to switch gears and the car would not move at all it would just accelerate the engine will sound like Like if I had the car on…
2008 volvo xc90 v8 has been towed 3x in the past month. The battery has completely and inconsistently drained. They checked relay switches, fuses, alternator, starter, battery connections, etc. 3x in the shop! So fed up. Car is now in shop and i've read that volvo is in a class action lawsuit for…
The transmission shifting rough 1-2 gear and 5 to 6 gear. The downshift from 3-2 and 2-1 is really rough. I have seen so many people with this transmission with the same problem. It should be addressed, even on these older volvo's.
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…
Other Volvo XC90 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 XC90 | 29 | 2 |
| 2024 XC90 | 36 | 3 |
| 2023 XC90 | 41 | 6 |
| 2022 XC90 | 29 | 4 |
| 2021 XC90 | 39 | 6 |
| 2020 XC90 | 33 | 7 |
| 2019 XC90 | 42 | 6 |
| 2018 XC90 | 51 | 3 |
| 2017 XC90 | 80 | 7 |
| 2016 XC90 | 197 | 8 |
| 2015 XC90 | 0 | 1 |
| 2014 XC90 | 4 | 0 |
| 2013 XC90 | 11 | 0 |
| 2012 XC90 | 3 | 0 |
| 2011 XC90 | 19 | 1 |
| 2010 XC90 | 12 | 3 |
| 2009 XC90 | 7 | 1 |
| 2008 | 29 | 3 |
| 2007 XC90 | 38 | 2 |
| 2006 XC90 | 53 | 3 |
| 2005 XC90 | 223 | 6 |
| 2004 XC90 | 462 | 6 |
| 2003 XC90 | 93 | 5 |
See all Volvo XC90 problems by year, every Volvo model, or the Volvo VIN decoder.
Similar Volvo models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Volvo XC90?
Owners most often report electrical system, engine, power train problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 8 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Volvo XC90?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2008 Volvo XC90 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other XC90 model years, the 2008 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.