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.
The worst 2008 Volvo S40 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical4
- Engine4
- Steering4
- Acceleration3
- Visibility3
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical4
- Engine4
- Steering4
- Acceleration3
- Visibility3
- Airbags2
- Suspension2
- Driver assistance1
- Seats1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Recalls 2
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 10V566000 · Recall details
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This can result in a rapid drainage of the power steering fluid in the system and a complete loss of power assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 08V329000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Volvo S40 158
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test
- This is a TJ text only
- This is a Technical Journal
- This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application
- Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch...
- This is a Technical Journal: Vehicle/Connectivity report checklist
- Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service
- This is a Technical Journal: 12V Battery Testing Method
- Complimentary upgrade C00009 description.
- Rubber cushion
2008 Volvo S40 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 5‑cyl | FWD | 20 | 28 | 23 |
| 2.5L 5‑cyl | FWD | 19 | 27-28 | 22-23 |
| 2.5L 5‑cyl | 4WD | 17-18 | 25-26 | 20-21 |
What 2008 Volvo S40 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
After buying the vehicle on 7/9/21, the car started having problems with the cooling system. I took it to a repair shop and they said the cooling system was overfilled. The air problem continued. I took it back to the dealership who said they fixed it but it continued. I contacted the prior Manufactuer service center who informed me the computer chip was recommended to be replaced when the dealer had it serviced but they declined, causing all the electrical and cooling issues. I called the dealer and they said they had the alarm disconnected also which was why the computer system wasn't working. The alarm system doesn't work and I have had to replace the key fob 3 times. I took it to another repair shop who diagnosed the following as permanent failure codes: 6 CEM codes, 1 ECM code, 6 SRS codes, 2 DIM codes, 11 CEM-HS codes, passenger and driver door codes, 4 climate control codes, 1EPS code, 4 SWM codes, DD11, all of which are safety hazards.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2008 s40, car was placed in park and turned off while running errands, no problems. Came out of the store and placed the key into the ignition and received this error message, "turn steering, try start again." prior to this, the car was completely operable. Removed the key and inserted key into the ignition again and nothing happened. I noticed the following: when the key is turned to 1 and 2, all dash light and headlights come on. At three, the headlights go off, the arm rest buttons go off and only check engine stays on. Once the key is released, all indicators and headlights come back on. Obd shows no codes. Turned the wheel all the way left and right, message persists. This has never happened before and I had a minor child with me in the scorching heat. Had the car towed and surprisingly the individual towing the car was a mechanic for years and stated the wheel was not locked at all, after moving the steering wheel to the left and right as well. This raises some serious safety concerns, as there were no prior warnings and the wheel was never locked and thankfully I was not not in motion.
I was getting in my car with my two young children and the car would not start (turn steering wheel and try to start again). I tried multiple times, but it would not start. After 15 minutes, I decided it was too hot with my children outside so I went inside. I checked an hour later, the car would not start. My husband was able to start the car hours later after moving the steering column up and down quickly and harshly. This morning, I was getting in the car with my two young children, the car would not start (turn steering wheel and try to start again). I moved the steering column as suggested by my husband, the car would not start. Luckily we were home and were not stranded on the side of the road with two young children in the heat of summer.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo s40. The contact stated that the oil trap and ventilation hose were damaged. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated, the vehicle made an abnormal noise, and there was an oil leak in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was confirmed the failure was in the oil trap and ventilation hose in the engine that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. There was a technical service bulletin rtj-19745 (engine and engine cooling), which extended the warranty for affected vehicles; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 77,800.
Compare the 2008 Volvo S40
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Questions about the 2008 Volvo S40
Is the 2008 Volvo S40 reliable?
Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2008 Volvo S40, fewer than a typical S40 model year.
What is the 2008 Volvo S40 year score?
The 2008 Volvo S40 scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volvo S40: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Volvo S40?
Electrical system, with 4 complaints. Next is engine (4).
How many recalls does the 2008 Volvo S40 have?
2 recalls, covering equipment and steering.
What year does the Volvo S40 have the most electrical problems?
The Volvo S40 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2006 (24 complaints), 2005 (19 complaints) and 2000 (13 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Volvo S40 get?
Official estimates for the 2008 Volvo S40 range from 20 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 5-cyl, FWD) gets 20 city and 28 highway.
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