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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
93,000 miles · Sep 16, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT CYLINDER THREE AND SIX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ODI #10764087

69,000 miles · Sep 15, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A SHAKING MOTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A SHAKING MOTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ODI #10763876

52,000 miles · Jul 2, 2015
Power Train

LOUD CLUNKING NOISES COMING FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE, VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY A LICENSED MECHANIC TO BE DRIVE AXLES WARN OUT, WITH RELATIVELY LOW LOW MILES I CONTACTED VOLVO DEALER AND WOULD DO NOTHING BUT CHARGE FOR REPLACEMENTS AND FURTHER DIAGNOSIS. PREMATURE FAILURE OF DRIVE AXLES CAN CREATE AN UNSTABLE DRIVING INCIDENT. WHI…

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LOUD CLUNKING NOISES COMING FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE, VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY A LICENSED MECHANIC TO BE DRIVE AXLES WARN OUT, WITH RELATIVELY LOW LOW MILES I CONTACTED VOLVO DEALER AND WOULD DO NOTHING BUT CHARGE FOR REPLACEMENTS AND FURTHER DIAGNOSIS. PREMATURE FAILURE OF DRIVE AXLES CAN CREATE AN UNSTABLE DRIVING INCIDENT. WHICH IS WHY I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT . IT SEEMS THAT ALL THESE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER EVERYWHERE WHICH MAKES ME THINK THERE MUST BE A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10731685

101,000 miles · Apr 29, 2015
Electrical System

WHILE TRYING TO START THE CAR, THE IGNITION KEY WHEN INSERTED WILL NOT TURN TO UNLOCK THE STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING COLUMN REMAINS LOCKED UNTIL IT FOR SOME REASON UNEXPLAINED RELEASES SO YOU CAN START THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT HAS A FAULTY IGNITION MODULE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713615

77,320 miles · Nov 12, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE YAW SENSORS A AND D NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE YAW SENSORS A AND D NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,320.

NHTSA ODI #10654519

31,769 miles · May 10, 2014
Electrical System

10/30/2013...FAILED IGNITION LOCK SWITCH AT 31769 MILES, IN GARAGE, NO WARNING RESULTING IN HAVING TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, PART INVESTIGATED ORDERED AND ULTIMATELY REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER 600$ AS WELL AS THE COST OF A RENTAL VEHICLE FOR A WEEK BECAUSE PART NEEDED TO BE ORDERED AND SHIPPED TO DEALER. ADDITIONAL RE…

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10/30/2013...FAILED IGNITION LOCK SWITCH AT 31769 MILES, IN GARAGE, NO WARNING RESULTING IN HAVING TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, PART INVESTIGATED ORDERED AND ULTIMATELY REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER 600$ AS WELL AS THE COST OF A RENTAL VEHICLE FOR A WEEK BECAUSE PART NEEDED TO BE ORDERED AND SHIPPED TO DEALER. ADDITIONAL RENTAL COST AT JUST OVER 200$. FOLLOWED BY STARTER SWITCH BEHIND THE IGNITION LOCK SWITCH FAILING ON 4/08/2014 DIAGNOSED AT DEALERSHIP, PART NEEDING TO BE ORDERED AND THEN INSTALLED 4/22/2014. A COST OF 165$, MILEAGE AT THIS REPLACEMENT WAS 34332. AFTER WHICH I CONTACTED THE VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT AND SENT ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION TO SEE IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE/ PART. I WAS INFORMED IT WAS NOT A RECALL ITEM. THEY ALSO SAID THAT ON A VEHICLE THAT AGE AN MILEAGE I SHOULD EXPECT SOME MAINTENANCE ISSUES. I KEEP MY VEHICLE MAINTAINED AND CHECKED ON A REGULAR BASIS. HAVING SPOKEN TO THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND AN VEHICLE MECHANIC THAT HAS 2 VOLVOS THEY BOTH SAID THEY HAVE PERSONALLY HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE IGNITION LOCK SWITCH, ONCE WHEN DRIVING. VOLVO OFFERED TO REIMBURSE ME UP TO 30% OF COST OF PART/S UP TO 200$. I NEEDED TO SEND IN DOCUMENTATION AND COPIES OF WORK COMPLETED. MY CONCERN IS THAT IN LIGHT OF THE IGNITION ISSUES WITH GM THAT HAVE BEEN ONGOING FOR 5 YEARS...IS THIS THE SAME THING JUST NOT IDENTIFIED AS OF YET AND IF THE VOLVO CORPORATION DOES REIMBURSE A PORTION OF MY OUTPUT TO FIX THE IGNITION CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL LEAD THEM TO NOT ALLOW ANY RIGHTS TO OWNERS IF THIS BECOMES A RECALL/ LEGAL ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587582

85,000 miles · Oct 30, 2013
Power Train

EXCESSIVE VIBRATION/SHAKING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN OF A V8 ENGINE XC90 DURING LIGHT/MODERATE ACCELERATION (SEVERE SHAKING DURING FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION). ACCORDING TO A NUMBER OF VOLVO DEALER SERVICE ADVISORS, THIS VIBRATION/SHAKING HAS BEEN A 'MAJOR ISSUE' CAUSED BY FAILING RIGHT SIDE FRONT AXLES (350.00) &/OR FAILING TRANSMIS…

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EXCESSIVE VIBRATION/SHAKING IN THE DRIVE TRAIN OF A V8 ENGINE XC90 DURING LIGHT/MODERATE ACCELERATION (SEVERE SHAKING DURING FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION). ACCORDING TO A NUMBER OF VOLVO DEALER SERVICE ADVISORS, THIS VIBRATION/SHAKING HAS BEEN A 'MAJOR ISSUE' CAUSED BY FAILING RIGHT SIDE FRONT AXLES (350.00) &/OR FAILING TRANSMISSION VALVE BODIES ($3500.00). GIVEN THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR MECHANICAL FLAW ACCORDING TO VOLVO DEALER SERVICE, WHY HASN'T THESE DANGEROUS DRIVE TRAIN ISSUES BEEN ADDRESSED AS A MANDATORY RECALL?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550270

35,000 miles · Aug 28, 2013
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE SEAT BELTS HAD TO BE RELEASED FROM THE BUCKLE WITH ABNORMAL FORCE. THE SEAT BELTS BUCKLES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10537740

66,000 miles · Aug 20, 2013
Seat Belts

ADVISED BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE LOCKING MECHANISM TENDED TO HANG-UP. HOWEVER WE DID NOT QUALIFY BECAUSE WE DIDN'T REQUEST REPLACEMENT WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD. VEHICLE HAS REGULARLY BEEN MAINTAINED BY VOLVO DEALER AND THEY WERE IN THE KNOW IF THE BELTS WERE BEING RECALLED. WE WERE NOT TOLD. …

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ADVISED BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE LOCKING MECHANISM TENDED TO HANG-UP. HOWEVER WE DID NOT QUALIFY BECAUSE WE DIDN'T REQUEST REPLACEMENT WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD. VEHICLE HAS REGULARLY BEEN MAINTAINED BY VOLVO DEALER AND THEY WERE IN THE KNOW IF THE BELTS WERE BEING RECALLED. WE WERE NOT TOLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536242

69,000 miles · Jun 21, 2013
Tires

MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN WITH < 39K MILES ON 2008 VOLVO XC90 HAD A TREAD SEPARATION AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEED DURING BUSY DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC NEARLY CREATING AN ACCIDENT FOR ME AND TWO OF MY CHILDREN. VEHICLE DAMAGE CAUSED SOLELY BY THE TIRE FLAILING THE RIGHT REAR OF MY VEHICLE EXCEEDED $3500. TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE…

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MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN WITH < 39K MILES ON 2008 VOLVO XC90 HAD A TREAD SEPARATION AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEED DURING BUSY DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC NEARLY CREATING AN ACCIDENT FOR ME AND TWO OF MY CHILDREN. VEHICLE DAMAGE CAUSED SOLELY BY THE TIRE FLAILING THE RIGHT REAR OF MY VEHICLE EXCEEDED $3500. TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE STEEL BELTS AS A CONTINUOUS RING. TREAD LUGS CAN BE PULLED AWAY BY HAND FROM THE LOWER RUBBER THEY APPEAR TO BE BONDED TO AND THIS UNDERNEATH RING OF RUBBER HAD VERY CLEANLY PULLED AWAY FROM THE BELTS. TIRE REMAINED INFLATED. EVIDENCE OF IMPENDING FAILURE WAS NOTED AS I WAS FEELING VIBRATION FROM THE TIRE FOR 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND HAD EVEN STOPPED TO INSPECT THE WHEEL FOR A PROBABLE CAUSE. PHOTO DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE. INTERNET SEARCHING IS CLEARLY SHOWING THAT, FOR THIS MODEL TIRE, THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. DOES ANYBODY REMEMBER THE OVER 250 DEATHS ATTRIBUTED TO THE TREAD SEPARATION OF BRIDGESTONE TIRES ON FORD EXPLORERS? I DO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521129

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.