KnownCarProblems2008 Volvo XC90 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Volvo XC90, most often about the engine (28% of complaints, typically around 56,000 miles). It is 14th of 22 XC90 model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2008 Volvo XC90 problems
Engine
8 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
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…
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…
Electrical
8 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 101,000 miles.
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.
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…
Transmission
4 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
My 2005 t6 has already had a transmission replaced at 25k miles (under warranty). The replacement transmission recently slipped gears with 32k miles and the dealer said that it was "older" version of the engine management software code which caused it to happen.
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…
Seat belts
4 complaints · 14%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…
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.
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 10%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…
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…
Stability control
3 complaints · 10%I bought my xc-90 from big dee Volvo on 12/19/2008. I had anti-skid warning come up 2 year ago and took it to big dee. They reset the message. It was fine for a year or so. The same message appeared again in 10/2011 but it went away on it's own. I took it to palisade Volvo and they said it was fine. Now the message…
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…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 10%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Volvo XC90 recalls
Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)
Risk: An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Engine
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: defroster/defogger/hvac system
Risk: 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.
Fix: The ECM software will be upgraded. The recall began on january 28, 2008. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2008 Volvo XC90
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Volvo XC90?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (8 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles); electrical (8 complaints, typically around 101,000 miles); transmission (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Volvo XC90 have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 8, 2010 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Volvo XC90?
- It is 14th of 22 XC90 model years by number of complaints, with 29 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.