2008 Volvo XC70: common problems and reliability

One of the worst XC70 years.

One of the Volvo XC70 years to avoid. All XC70 years

39 owner complaints, most about fuel system. 8 recalls.

Should I buy a 2008 XC70?

The 2008 Volvo XC70 has 39 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are fuel system and gasoline.

Safety record for the 2008 model year

39
Owner complaints
8
Recalls
2
Crash reports
1
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2008 Volvo XC70 vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other XC70 years only. How we score it

Is 2008 a good year for the XC70?

Across the 16 XC70 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 2 (2014) to 106 (2004). With 39 complaints, the 2008 XC70 sits above the model's median of 18.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

fuel system
9
gasoline
9
engine
4
electrical system
4
fuel/propulsion system
4

Recalls affecting the 2008 XC70

seat belts:front

Campaign 20V378000

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.

equipment:other:labels

Campaign 08V032000

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.

electrical system:software

Campaign 09V139000

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.

equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)

Campaign 10V566000

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

Show 4 more recalls

engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan

Campaign 09V218000

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.

equipment:other:labels

Campaign 07V566000

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.

air bags:frontal

Campaign 07V500000

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.

equipment:other:labels

Campaign 10V190000

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.

What owners say across generations

Deeply affectionate but pragmatic sentiment.

Owner insights cover all generations of the XC70. See the full XC70 owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used XC70 listings typically run $7,998–$13,249 across 2003 to 2016 model years.

Other XC70 model years

Compare every XC70 year side by side to see how 2008 ranks against the rest.

Compare the XC70 against its rivals

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