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2008 Volvo XC90

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Volvo XC90 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 34.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

25 reports with mileage · 4 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

29 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineSeat Belts

All seatbelts in vehicle sticks and/or catches have to use seriously more pressure on release button,or seatbelt/latch it’s self or both. My wife and children have had me have to come get it because it wouldn’t release. Engine motor mount bolt had to be replaced, I noticed when alternator went out, vehicle wouldn’t respond from …

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All seatbelts in vehicle sticks and/or catches have to use seriously more pressure on release button,or seatbelt/latch it’s self or both. My wife and children have had me have to come get it because it wouldn’t release. Engine motor mount bolt had to be replaced, I noticed when alternator went out, vehicle wouldn’t respond from throttle acted like it was missing then threw dash lights then no lights all of a sudden it happened within 1-2mins vehicle wouldn’t respond while running stopped in middle of road. Didn’t give any warning was even going out. Locks not working right with key fob 1or more locks won’t lock/unlock including the fuel door lock, as well as child saftey locks coming on randomly. Steering locked in full turn left/right have to manually turn wheel because it will continue in direction wheel is associated in while moving instead of returning towards middle on its own momentum. Climate control fan not working properly not enough blowing force and ambient temperature sensor for climate control not regulating temperature/doesn’t read correctly.

NHTSA ODI #11715435

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2022
EngineExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

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 shi…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11457064

188,000 miles · Aug 8, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Seat Belts

2008 VOLVO XC90 V8 HAS BEEN TOWED 3X IN THE PAST MONTH. THE BATTERY HAS COMPLETELY AND INCONSISTENTLY DRAINED. THEY CHECKED RELAY SWITCHES, FUSES, ALTERNATOR, STARTER, BATTERY CONNECTIONS, ETC. 3X IN THE SHOP! SO FED UP. CAR IS NOW IN SHOP AND I'VE READ THAT VOLVO IS IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR BATTERY DRAIN FROM SIRIUS RADIO …

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2008 VOLVO XC90 V8 HAS BEEN TOWED 3X IN THE PAST MONTH. THE BATTERY HAS COMPLETELY AND INCONSISTENTLY DRAINED. THEY CHECKED RELAY SWITCHES, FUSES, ALTERNATOR, STARTER, BATTERY CONNECTIONS, ETC. 3X IN THE SHOP! SO FED UP. CAR IS NOW IN SHOP AND I'VE READ THAT VOLVO IS IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR BATTERY DRAIN FROM SIRIUS RADIO EVEN IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE SUBSCRIPTION. THEY ARE CHARGING ME $135 TO DIAGNOSE AT VOLVO RIGHT NOW. IT HASN'T BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THAT IS THE PROBLEM YET, BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER IS INCLINED TO THINK THAT'S WHAT IT IS. CLEARLY THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ALSO GOT STUCK COMPLETELY IN DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT AND THEN IT WOULDN'T WORK AT ALL. HAVING DOOR OPENING PROBLEMS ON DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND I'M JUST SUPER FRUSTRATED. THIS HAS AFFECTED MY BUSINESS AND SEEING CUSTOMERS, ETC.

NHTSA ODI #11242605

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

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.

NHTSA ODI #11240483

120,000 miles · Jun 3, 2019
EngineUnknown Or OtherFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH FAILED TO RESPOND. THE DRIVER VEERED OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ONTO DASH PR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH FAILED TO RESPOND. THE DRIVER VEERED OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ONTO DASH PRIOR TO OR AFTER VEHICLE LOST POWER. NOTICED UNDER THE HOOD WAS SMOKING. THE DRIVER GOT OUT THE VEHICLE AND CALLED FOR HELP, WITHIN MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED DUE TO NO INJURIES BEING REPORTED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT AND INSTRUCTED US THERE WAS NOT ANY REASON TO CALL LOCAL POLICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY A LOCAL TOWING COMPANY ON A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HER DAUGHTER GOT HER ALTERNATOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER, VOLVO WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ARE PERFORMING A FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON THE CAR FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11217502

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

BOUGHT OUR 2008 VOLVO XC90 IN 2010. LAST SPRING WE NOTICED A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL COMING FROM INSIDE AND OUT SIDE THE VEHICLE THAT BECAME STRONGER THE MORE WE DROVE IT AND FOR SOME TIME AFTER IT WAS PARKED. LOOKED IT UP ON U-TUBE, THE FUEL SENDING UNIT (FUEL PUMP) UNDER THE BACK SEAT LEAKS OVER TIME ESPECIALLY IN HOTTER CLIM…

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BOUGHT OUR 2008 VOLVO XC90 IN 2010. LAST SPRING WE NOTICED A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL COMING FROM INSIDE AND OUT SIDE THE VEHICLE THAT BECAME STRONGER THE MORE WE DROVE IT AND FOR SOME TIME AFTER IT WAS PARKED. LOOKED IT UP ON U-TUBE, THE FUEL SENDING UNIT (FUEL PUMP) UNDER THE BACK SEAT LEAKS OVER TIME ESPECIALLY IN HOTTER CLIMATES. THERE WERE SEVERAL DIFFERENT COMPLAINTS ON LINE DUE TO THIS SAME ISSUE, CONCLUDING A DEFECTIVE PART ON THE FUEL PUMP THAT FORMS A CRACK ON TOP AND LEAKS FUEL WHEN VEHICLE IS IN USE.. CALLED VOLVO MAIN OFFICE, GAVE THEM THE VIN # AND THEY SAID "NO, NOT ANY LIST !!" SO WE TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST VOLVO DEALER IN LAS VEGAS, ALL MOST 2 HOURS AWAY. WE ALSO WANTED TO KNOW WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS YELLOW. TURNS OUT THAT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND THEY WOULD GLADLY REPLACE IT FOR $487.00 BUT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO THE WORK UNTIL OUR NEXT VISIT-HAD TO ORDER THE NEW PUMP. THEY HAD US SIGN A WAIVER BEFORE WE LEFT BECAUSE THEY " RECOMMEND VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO THIS BEING A SAFETY ISSUE" HAVE MY COPY IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK THE NEXT WEEK AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF , WE PAID THE $487.00 AND THEY GAVE US A WARRANTY ON THE NEW FUEL PUMP FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR . THEY WERE VERY NICE AND PROFESSIONAL. MY QUESTION IS WHY DID WE HAVE TO PAY $480. 00 FOR A PART THAT WAS FAULTY?

NHTSA ODI #11186347

134,000 miles · Aug 29, 2018
Electrical System

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

NHTSA ODI #11123204

91,000 miles · Jul 19, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND THE STEERING LOCKED. I WAS ABLE TO PUT ON THE EMERGENCY SIGNALS AND THE BIG RIGS BEHIND ME BLEW THEIR HORNS. THEY WERE GETTING CLOSER TO ME BECAUSE I WAS DECELERATING AT A RATE THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLISSION. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO AN E…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND THE STEERING LOCKED. I WAS ABLE TO PUT ON THE EMERGENCY SIGNALS AND THE BIG RIGS BEHIND ME BLEW THEIR HORNS. THEY WERE GETTING CLOSER TO ME BECAUSE I WAS DECELERATING AT A RATE THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLISSION. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO AN EMERGENCY LANE WHILE THEY WENT WHIPPING PAST ME. THE VOLVO SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT HE HAD HEARD OF A SIMILAR SITUATION BEFORE. IN AN EMAIL TO ME HE STATED THAT "THE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS GIVING A FAULTS READING, OF EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE. WHEN THE PEM SAW THE FAULTS READING, IT CUT THE FUEL TO THE ENGINE AS IT THOUGHT IT WAS WAY OVER PRESSURIZED." I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT NOBODY WAS SEVERALLY INJURED OR KILLED.

NHTSA ODI #11112482

21,000 miles · Nov 11, 2016
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

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 S…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10925566

116,580 miles · Aug 4, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. A FEW MOMENTS LATER, OTHER UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. A FEW MOMENTS LATER, OTHER UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW SWITCHES FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND FAILED TO RESTART. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND JUMPSTARTED THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR TWO YEARS AND CONTINUED. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AJAR MESSAGE DISPLAYED EVEN THOUGH THE DOORS WERE CLOSED IN A SECURED POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE CHILD LOCK FAULT MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURES RECURRED AND PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,580.

NHTSA ODI #10893158

Official recalls

3

10V566000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

Nov 8, 2010

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

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

08V206000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

May 6, 2008

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE ALUMINUM BRACKET FOR THE ENGINE MOUNT COULD BREAK DUE TO LACK OF ADEQUATE CLAMPING FORCE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE SUB-FRAME, ULTIMATELY RESULTING IN A REDUCED ENGINE TORQUE OR STALLING OF THE ENGINE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

07V563000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System

Dec 12, 2007

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INOPERATIVE DEFROSTERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE IMPAIRED VISIBILITY WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: THE ECM SOFTWARE WILL BE UPGRADED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.