Check a VIN

2008 Volvo V70 problems

The most common problem on the 2008 Volvo V70 is electrical system, typically around 115,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical V70 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
83/100
Owner complaints
11
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
241
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
19mpg

The worst 2008 Volvo V70 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Electrical
    6
  • Engine
    4
  • Lights
    1
  • Tires
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    6
  • Engine
    4
  • Lights
    1
  • Tires
    1

Recalls 4

Seat belts: frontReported June 30, 2020 · 308,260 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury 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.

Recall number 20V378000 · Recall details

Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)Reported November 8, 2010 · 416 vehicles affected
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

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fanReported June 12, 2009 · 17,614 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
This situation may result in loss of cooling system function and engine failure. The driver may not have sufficient time to react to the warning light(s) or the text message in the instrument panel, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.

Recall number 09V218000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported January 28, 2008 · 1,900 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
This standard specifies requirements for child restraint systems used in motor vehicles and aircraft for the purpose of reducing the number of children killed or injured in motor vehicle crashes and in aircraft.
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.

Recall number 08V032000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2008 Volvo V70

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Volvo V70 241

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 241 bulletins for the 2008 Volvo V70

2008 Volvo V70 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.2L 6‑cylFWD162419

What 2008 Volvo V70 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 9, 2024 · Tires · FL

225/55R 95H On the highway in center lane going 70mph. Car was starting to shake and then heard loud noise coming from the back. Next thing the tire blew. Tread ripped off the bumper, side rear panel, taillight and trim under the door. We were lucky to be able to pull over to the shoulder. We had to get a flat bed tow back home. Took the tire to the Goodyear place where we had purchased the tires. There was 12000 mile on the tires. We purchased a new tire. Driving home there was the same shake. Went back to the tire place and they put the passenger rear tire on the front passenger side to see if it was truly the tire. Yes it was, so we purchased 3 new Goodyear tires, the same ones that was replaced from flat. The Goodyer guy told us to send the tire to Goodyear, because it felt it was defected. Maybe they would pay the over $5000.00 to repair our car. He told me that they have had a lot of problems with that tire. Goodyear sent a certified letter to us stating " Tire condition occured as a result of substantial impact causing overdeflection of the tire and fracture of sidewall rubber and/or fabric plies and/or liner material". They will not pay. If we had hit something substantial we would not be here today. There were not warning light or messages prior to the blowout.

Filed Feb 15, 2023 · TX

Sunroof exploded while mechanic was driving the vehicle. Fortunately, sunroof visor was closed, so only minor amount of glass entered the vehicle, and no injury from the explosion or glass. There was no inspection by manufacturer or police, as not needed, also no warning lights, etc.

Filed May 3, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · NC

In mid summer of 2021, my car overheated randomly without any warning driving down the interstate. I pulled off immediately and cut the car off but, it was already done. The radiator cracked as a result of the engine overheating. I had the car towed to my mechanic and he replaced the radiator. Since then I’ve been having a lot of check engine codes. It’s now May of 2022, my car is still using and going through a lot of coolant. There are no leaks in the coolant. My mechanic recently said that the radiator fan is malfunctioning which is popping the check engine and also probably making the car overheat. I contacted Volvo dealership after seeing the recall on the radiator fan for my year make and model but, they informed me there is no recall on my car via the vin#. This week I’ve been watching not only the coolant level but also the fans…. My car has two fans on the front, one of which is not cutting on when it should be , the smaller one seems to be working fine. I think the same recall issue is also effecting my car but, Volvo is not helping me.

Filed Jun 12, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 132,000 miles · NY · fire

Today I received a warning message that my low beam was out. I stopped in the auto parts store and bought the passenger side low beam replacement bulb. When I went to disassemble it I noticed that the wiring harness was burnt. I'm going to replace the wiring harness but this is very concerning. It's not old and just corroded it is actually burnt.

Filed Mar 30, 2019 · Electrical · 115,000 miles · OH

Mirror on passenger side fell off mount sept 2015 driving 45 MPH on 2 lane road

Filed Mar 30, 2019 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · OH

Mirrors passenger mirror fell from the mount on sept 2015 driver mirror fell from the mount march 2019 both incidents were while driving 2 lane roads. Flat and smooth

Filed Sep 13, 2017 · Engine · 146,000 miles · MA

While driving the warning for engine overheating comes on and advises to stop safely.volvo dealer states it is the fan control module that is at fault and I believe there is a recall for this particular issue with some 2008-2009 v70 models.the volvo dealer states that my VIN is exempt from recall but clearly is a huge safety issue which could lead to an accident. I was driving in the city and the A/C was not fully functional windows fog up and the error message displays without any predictability. This could have happened while travelling on the highway leading to more serious consequence.

Filed May 2, 2017 · Engine · MD

Takata recall: a recall failure occurred may 1, 2017 on a fan control module that was installed on 7/22/2009-rcall number 214. . The recall was done but now the recall part has failed again. Dealership is not willing to pay for it again..

Filed Jan 29, 2015 · Electrical · 109,000 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 volvo v70. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. In addition, the contact stated that the ignition key remained stuck in the ignition switch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

Filed Oct 17, 2014 · Engine · 10,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo v70. While driving various speeds, the engine overheating warning indicator illuminated. The contact had to shut the vehicle off and wait before the vehicle would resume normal function. The dealer diagnosed that the engine cooling fan control and module had failed. The vehicle was previously repaired under an unknown manufacturer recall for the same failure. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000. The consumer stated the recall repair that was performed in july 2009, failed. On october 16, 2014, the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, where it was determined the engine was overheating, due to the failure of the engine fan control module and cooling fan. She also experienced reduced air conditioning performance and air condition failure during slow traffic. The dealer stated it was cost $1200. Updated 12/02/14

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2008 Volvo V70 before you buy

Compare the 2008 Volvo V70

Other model years

199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010

Questions about the 2008 Volvo V70

Is the 2008 Volvo V70 reliable?

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2008 Volvo V70, fewer than a typical V70 model year.

What is the 2008 Volvo V70 year score?

The 2008 Volvo V70 scores 83 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volvo V70: 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 V70?

Electrical system, with 6 complaints, typically around 115,000 miles. Next is engine (4).

How many recalls does the 2008 Volvo V70 have?

4 recalls, covering seat belts, equipment and engine and engine cooling.

What year does the Volvo V70 have the most electrical problems?

The Volvo V70 model years with the most electrical complaints are 1999 (43 complaints), 2001 (30 complaints) and 2000 (18 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Volvo V70 get?

Official estimates for the 2008 Volvo V70 range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.2L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16 city and 24 highway.

Share your experience with the 2008 Volvo V70

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2008 Volvo V70?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN