2008 Volvo XC70: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 39 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (22% of complaints); the 2006 and 2009 and 2010 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2008 Volvo XC70. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof fractured without impact. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,400.”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2024
“I have noticed water leaking into the inside of my windshield and also noticed that the front and rear carpets are damp and the car is developing a musty smell. Upon closer inspection it appears that the top of the windshield is unbonded from the frame and moves outward when pressure is applied against it. This is a serious safety concern as the windshield is a structural component of the vehicle and the integrity of the vehicle with an unbonded windshield compromises the vehicle safety. Beyond that structural concern, the inside windshield fogs us consistently causing impaired visibility while driving, especially in the rain.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2023
“The contact owns a 2008 Volvo XC70. The contact stated that while her husband was leaving a restaurant drive-thru, the vehicle lost motive power without warning while entering the main street. The driver was waiting for a tow truck to tow the vehicle from the scene. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V218000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“After getting a car wash (on a track, in neutral) the windshield on the drivers side leaks, and it also does the same thing in my 2010 xc60.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Mar 2020
“The problems include door latches quit working and unable to secure doors when vehicle was stationary, doors could latch but upon starting the vehicle the locks would not engage and unable to drive or leave the vehicle if the doors are unable to engage. The passenger and driver side mirrors falling/flying off the mount while in motion and then shattering on the road way. When vehicle is stationary the rear door not catching when fully open and automatically closes in rapid motion. The am radio transmission/reception motor stopping,”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Feb 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo cross country wagon. While driving 70 mph, the sun roof exploded. The glass particles projected upward because the headliner was closed and struck the windshield of the vehicle traveling behind the contact. There were no injuries. The contact pulled the vehicle over and noticed a football-sized hole in the middle of the sun roof and took pictures. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called his insurance company and was informed that they would cover the damages. The failure mileage was 162,000. The VIN was unknown. *tt*jb”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2019
“Traveling 7-10 mph, busy residential street in lou, ky, car swerved in front of me, applied brakes, nothing happened. Changed to right lane, attempted brakes, 2nd time, loud grinding noise, from rear of vehicle, no braking action. Pulled vehicle to far-right side of road, put red hazard lights on, pulled off roadway at first opportunity, to safely do so.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2018
“Auto dealership that sold the vehicle had installed brake parts, that were noncompliant with fmvss, which caused, sudden and complete brake failure on 12/1/2018, and $2000.00 in damages to replace entire rear brake system. I was traveling on busy residential street in lou, ky, 7-10mph, narrowly averted two accidents getting vehicle under control, and safely off the roadway. Mechanic inspection is attached, right rear caliper bracket noncompliant with fmvss, re violation of violation of 49 u.s.c., code 30112, prohibitions against the manufacture, sale or distribution of motor vehicle or "...parts installed that take the vehicle out-of-compliance with fmvss.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo xc70. The contact stated that hot air blew from the air vents when the air conditioning was activated. Also, the engine overheated warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the fan control module needed to be replaced. Prestige volvo (285 east nj-10, east hanover, nj 07936, (973) 884-2400) was contacted and stated that they could not assist with the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09v218000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo xc70. While driving unknown speeds, the "srs urgent needs service" indicator illuminated. The contact called a local dealer (portland volvo cars, located at 9 us route 1, scarborough, me 04074) and was informed to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 114,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, TWO SOFTWARE ERRORS HAVE BEEN FOUND IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) CONTROL UNIT SOFTWARE. THIS MAY RESULT IN A LATE DEPLOYMENT OF THE INFLATABLE CURTAIN (IC) AND SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION SYSTEM (SIPS) AIR BAGS IN CERTAIN SIDE IMPACT CRASH SITUATIONS. IN ADDITION, THIS SOFTWARE ERROR MAY ALSO CAUSE THE 'SRS AIRBAG - SERVICE URGENT' MESSAGE AND SRS WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM A SOFTWARE UPGRADE OF THE SRS CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
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 CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 5, 2006 THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2009 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE FMVSS LABEL, TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND A PAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL CONTAIN INCORRECT MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE INFLATION PRESSURE ACCORDING TO FMVSS 110.
Remedy: THE CORRECTIVE ACTION IS TO UPDATE THE VEHICLES WITH A NEW FMVSS LABEL, TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND TPMS SOFTWARE. VOLVO RETAILERS WILL ALSO APPLY A LABEL WITH CORRECT MAXIMUM TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE WHEEL INFORMATION LABEL LOCATED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PILLAR WAS PRINTED MISSING THE WHEEL SIZE (RIM) INFORMATION.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. IF THE OWNER PREFERS, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
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.
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.
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 XC70 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 XC70 reliable?
NHTSA has 39 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Volvo XC70. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Volvo XC70 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,500 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Volvo XC70 have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. 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.