2008 Volvo S40: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 16 owner complaints on record; most reports concern steering.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2008 Volvo S40. The contact stated while his spouse was driving 70 MPH, the moon roof exploded. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2022
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo s40. The contact stated that after exiting a store and entering the vehicle, the contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that a message displayed on the instrument panel stated to turn the steering wheel and try again. The vehicle was first towed to the residence and then to autobahn volvo fort worth (2910 white settlement rd, fort worth, tx 76107) where the vehicle was diagnosed with a steering column lock module failure and an battery failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo s40. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle overheated and stalled. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 191,000.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“The air pump has a faulty switch, started ringing when I turn the engine off. The mechanic says the switch isn't shutting off correctly.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo s40 equipped with continental extremecontact dws tires, size: 205/50/17 (na). While driving approximately 35 mph, the front passenger side tire experienced a sidewall blow out after driving over gravel in the road. During the incident, the vehicle sustained damage to the suspension, bumper, and rocker panel. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dot number, vehicle failure mileage, and VIN were not available. The tire failure mileage was 12,000. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Oct 2016
“I was driving on a main route at night around 730 and a car was trying to get in my line and I assume they did not see me. I tried to move to the left to get out of the way but my steering wheel was so tight I could not veer away from the curb. Due to this I have numerous repairs that need to be paid and my power steering was tight for several weeks, it was almost hard for a strong man to turn the wheel. I tried power steering fluid when I started to notice the problem and it did not help. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo s40. The contact stated that the sun roof was leaking water into the vehicle. The vehicle was involved in a front end collision while driving 25 mph. The air bags did not deploy. There was a warning indicator illuminated. The dealer stated that water may have stopped the air bags from deploying. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Oct 2014
“I was driving my 2008 volvo s40 stopped in traffic when I was in major/severe rear end collision. The force of the impact (70+ mph) pushed me into a vehicle ahead which caused severe frontal damage that went all the way past my radiator. Property damages over $17k and airbags failed to deploy resulting in injuries. *tr”Owner report · Seats · Sep 2014
“While driving on the highway I set cruise control to 65. Within seconds I felt as if I were going very fast and I had accelerated to near 90 mph. I turned cruise control off, stepped on the brake and when I let off the brake the car began to accelerate again. After the second time stepping on the brake the problem ceased. The same type of incident occurred again, only this time cruise control was not involved. Stopped at a red light, I stepped on the accelerator to make a right hand turn, the rpms immediately jumped and my car accelerated very quickly. I stepped on the brake and after a few seconds the issue resolved itself. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2013
“Tl*the contact owns a 2008 volvo s40. She stated that while driving 2 mph and parking the vehicle with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated on its own and crashed into a store window. There were frontal damages to the vehicle. She suffered chest injuries. A police report is available. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they are waiting for the diagnostic test results. There have been no repairs done to the vehicle. The failure and current mileage were 10000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
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.
VOLVO IS RECALLING MY 2008-2009 VEHICLES. A SECTION OF THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE WAS NOT PROPERLY VULCANIZED (CURED) AND DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE FAILS, A SUDDEN RUPTURE OF THE HOSE CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact S40 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Volvo S40 reliable?
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Volvo S40. The most complained-about area is steering.
Does the 2008 Volvo S40 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.