2008 Volvo XC90: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 29 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system; the 2010 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 Neutral. In any gear I try to shift there was no warning in the vehicle no light turned on the only light that it was turned on was the one with the check engine because of the Cadillac converter but other than that no other lights were coming out or flashing”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2022
“Fan control module not functioning properly. Loss of cooling system function and engine overheats. Air conditioner doesn't work properly. Mechanic has confirmed it is the fan control module that is failing. Same year different vehicles have same issues in case # NHTSA campaign id number: 09v218000 n/a”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2018
“I own a 2008 xc90 with only 21000 miles on it. While driving, with my child in my car, I received a message "reduced engine performance" and my car started sputtering. I barely made it home, going over a small hill was a struggle. Mind you, this happened at night and I was scared to death that I was going to be stranded on the side of the road with my child. I have read on forums that this has happened to other customers and volvo currently has a voluntary recall for etm at no cost to the consumer. When I entered my VIN on the volvo site nothing came up. This is my mode of transportation and I am terrified to drive it until this gets resolved quickly.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo xc90. While driving approximately 30 mph, the temperature gauge displayed that the vehicle was overheated. The dealer diagnosed that cylinder three and six needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2015
“Loud clunking noises coming from front end of vehicle, vehicle diagnosed by a licensed mechanic to be drive axles warn out, with relatively low low miles I contacted volvo dealer and would do nothing but charge for replacements and further diagnosis. Premature failure of drive axles can create an unstable driving incident. Which is why I am filing this complaint . It seems that all these parts are on backorder everywhere which makes me think there must be a serious issue with this.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2015
“While trying to start the car, the ignition key when inserted will not turn to unlock the steering column. The steering column remains locked until it for some reason unexplained releases so you can start the car. I have been told it has a faulty ignition module and needs to be replaced. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2015
“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 failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,320.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2014
“Excessive vibration/shaking in the drive train of a v8 engine xc90 during light/moderate acceleration (severe shaking during full throttle acceleration). According to a number of volvo dealer service advisors, this vibration/shaking has been a 'major issue' caused by failing right side front axles (350.00) &/or failing transmission valve bodies ($3500.00). Given that this appears to be a major mechanical flaw according to volvo dealer service, why hasn't these dangerous drive train issues been addressed as a mandatory recall?? *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo xc90. The contact stated that the driver and passenger's side front seat belt buckles were defective. The seat belts had to be released from the buckle with abnormal force. The seat belts buckles were not replaced. The failure and current mileage was 35,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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 102 MY 2008 XC90 AND S80 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT BOLTS TO THE ENGINE MOUNT.
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.
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.
Remedy: THE ECM SOFTWARE WILL BE UPGRADED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 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 XC90 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 XC90 reliable?
NHTSA has 29 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Volvo XC90. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 2008 Volvo XC90 have open recalls?
3 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.