What are the most common problems with the 2008 Volvo XC90?

Engine and electrical system complaints lead, with 8 each. Power train and seat belts follow with 4 each.

Does the 2008 Volvo XC90 have recalls?

Yes, this model year has recalls on file. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Volvo XC90?

See the Fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2008 Volvo XC90 reliable?

Complaints are spread across several groups, led by engine and electrical. See the verdict and the by-year comparison on this page to weigh it.

2008 Volvo XC90 Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints has the 2008 Volvo XC90 had?

NHTSA has 29 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 29 owner complaints on file for this Volvo XC90^[1]. Engine and electrical system reports make up the biggest groups^[2]^[3].

29owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[4]

15–16MPG combined (EPA)^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA file, biggest first.

Engine. 8 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe oil loss, a warning about reduced power, sputtering, overheating, and a car that shut down while driving.
Electrical System. 8 complaints^[3]. Owners describe keys that stick in the ignition, a steering column that stays locked, a cooling fan module that fails, and warning lights that come on together.
Power Train. 4 complaints^[6]. Owners describe shaking under acceleration, clunking from the front end, worn drive axles, and a transmission that slipped.
Seat Belts. 4 complaints^[7]. Owners describe buckles and latches that are hard to release or that catch.
Unknown Or Other. 3 complaints^[8]. These reports do not fit a single named part.
Electronic Stability Control. 3 complaints^[9].
Fuel/Propulsion System. 3 complaints^[10].
Brakes. 2 complaints^[11].

These are unverified reports sent in by owners, and one report can name several parts.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2008 XC90 is necessarily included.

Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) (10V566), November 2010. About 416 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine (08V206), May 2008. About 102 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling.^[13]
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System (07V563), December 2007. About 37,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, reduced visibility.^[14]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
XC90 FWD, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[5]	14 / 20 / 16	$5,150
XC90 AWD, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[15]	14 / 20 / 16	$5,150
XC90 AWD, 4.4L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[16]	13 / 19 / 15	$5,500

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD/AWD^[17]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	17.9%

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
XC90 4DR SUV AWD 3.2^[18]	189 in	75 in	70 in	113 in	4,654 lb
XC90 4DR SUV AWD V8^[19]	189 in	75 in	70 in	113 in	4,755 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each XC90 model year. The 2008 is highlighted^[4].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2003	93	5
2004	462	6
2005	223	6
2006	53	3
2007	38	2
2008	29	3
2009	7	1
2010	12	3
2011	19	1
2012	3	0
2013	11	0
2014	4	0
2016	198	8
2017	81	7
2018	51	3
2019	42	6
2020	34	9
2021	42	7
2022	30	5
2023	41	7
2024	36	4
2025	29	3
2026	8	1

NHTSA's counts for the XC90 show 29 complaints and 3 recalls for 2008^[4]. Among the 24 model years listed, 8 have fewer complaints than 2008 and 14 have more^[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2004 (462)^[4]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2008 XC90?

This XC90 has a modest complaint file, with 29 reports in total^[1]. Engine and electrical issues make up the largest groups^[2]^[3]. Owners also describe drivetrain and seat belt trouble^[6]^[7]. The by-year facts list recalls for this model year, so check the Recalls section on this page^[4]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide and not a score.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Volvo XC90?: Engine and electrical system complaints lead, with 8 each^[2]^[3]. Power train and seat belts follow with 4 each^[6]^[7].
Does the 2008 Volvo XC90 have recalls?: Yes, this model year has recalls on file^[4]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
How many complaints has the 2008 Volvo XC90 had?: NHTSA has 29 owner complaints on file^[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Volvo XC90?: See the Fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2008 Volvo XC90 reliable?: Complaints are spread across several groups, led by engine and electrical^[2]^[3]. See the verdict and the by-year comparison on this page to weigh it.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Volvo XC90

2008 this page
2013 11 complaints, 0 recalls
2016 198 complaints, 8 recalls
2017 81 complaints, 7 recalls
2018 51 complaints, 3 recalls
2019 42 complaints, 6 recalls

Compare all model years of the Volvo XC90

Other Volvo models from 2008

2008 Volvo S80 26 complaints, 7 recalls
2008 Volvo V70 11 complaints, 4 recalls

All Volvo models

Similar cars from 2008: suvs

2008 Honda Element 113 complaints, 12 recalls
2008 Hyundai Santa Fe 541 complaints, 4 recalls
2008 Jeep Commander 437 complaints, 4 recalls
2008 Jeep Liberty 541 complaints, 4 recalls
2008 Lincoln MKX 253 complaints, 6 recalls
2008 Mazda Tribute 202 complaints, 4 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 29 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Volvo XC90 (1 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 101,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Volvo XC90 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for XC90 FWD, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
4 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 10V566, filed November 8, 2010: Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System). NHTSA recall database
Recall 08V206, filed May 6, 2008: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
Recall 07V563, filed December 12, 2007: Visibility › Defroster / Defogger / Hvac System. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for XC90 AWD, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for XC90 AWD, 4.4L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XC90 4DR SUV AWD 3.2: length 189 in, width 75 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,654 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XC90 4DR SUV AWD V8: length 189 in, width 75 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,755 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2008 Volvo XC90: problems, recalls and fuel economy