Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2008 Volvo V50 failed the safety check 1.75% of the time — 30% less often than the average 2008 passenger car (2.48%). Median odometer at inspection: 116,148 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2008 Volvo V50 cars on Dutch roads are the 1.8 petrol (92 kW, 123 hp), 2.0 petrol (107 kW, 143 hp) and 2.4 petrol (103 kW, 138 hp), out of 10 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8 petrol | 92 kW 123 hp | 906 |
| 2.0 petrol | 107 kW 143 hp | 450 |
| 2.4 petrol | 103 kW 138 hp | 282 |
| 2.4 petrol | 125 kW 168 hp | 146 |
| 1.8 ethanol | 92 kW 123 hp | 142 |
| 2.0 diesel | 100 kW 134 hp | 141 |
| 1.6 petrol | 74 kW 99 hp | 114 |
| 1.6 diesel | 80 kW 107 hp | 109 |
| 2.5 petrol | 169 kW 227 hp | 103 |
| 2.4 diesel | 132 kW 177 hp | 89 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
2,484 first registered in 2008 are on Dutch roads; 18% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €34,039.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde1,270
- Band onvoldoende profiel1,003
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)665
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld646
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af629
- Veer gebroken of gescheurd564
- Achterlicht werkt niet (goed)542
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm443
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
3,968 cars built in 2008 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 630 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 5,961 of these cars first registered in 2008 took their annual MOT test. 53% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2008 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 20.8% | 19.8% |
| Suspension | 20.0% | 17.2% |
| Tyres | 11.1% | 7.6% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 11.0% | 7.3% |
| Brakes | 10.4% | 11.3% |
| Visibility | 6.2% | 6.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
1,678 of these cars first registered in 2008 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 293,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
110 2008 cars are on the New Zealand register; 80% arrived as used imports, 19% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 6 variants: combined 10.3–11.6 L/100 km (about 20–23 mpg US), CO₂ 237–267 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| V50 2.4 · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 11.9 | 8.3 | 10.3 |
| V50 2.4 · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 11.9 | 8.3 | 10.3 |
| V50 T5 · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 12.1 | 8.3 | 10.4 |
| V50 T5 · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 12.6 | 8.7 | 10.8 |
| V50 T5 AWD · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 13.2 | 9.0 | 11.3 |
| V50 T5 AWD · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 13.5 | 9.3 | 11.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2008 Volvo V50.
| 2010396 8 Nov 2010 | Accessories On certain vehicles, there is a possibility of overheating issues of batteries in the Garmin nüvi® 760 when certain batteries manufactured within a limited date… |
| 2008260 18 Jul 2008 | Steering On certain vehicles, an improperly manufactured power steering return hose may suddenly rupture, causing a fluid leak. An unexpected loss of steering power ass… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
VOLVO IS RECALLING MY 2008-2009 VEHICLES. A SECTION OF THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE WAS NOT PROPERLY VULCANIZED (CURED) AND DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE FAILS, A SUDDEN RUPTURE OF THE HOSE CAN OCCUR.
VOLVO IS RECALLING 7 MY 2008 V50 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ROOF RAILS. BOLTS HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE OUT OF SPECIFICATION. THIS HAS CAUSED LESS TREAD LENGTH ON THE BOLTS WHICH IN TURN HAS LEAD TO INSUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE IN THE JOINT DUE TO THE WASHER GETTING STUCK WHEN TIGHTENING THE BOLTS.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volvo told its dealers about the 2008 Volvo V50: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11009811 | This is a Technical Journal: Software Upgrade / Download Guide. If one control unit is upgraded and not all, it may result in various problems. |
| 11007925 | Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service |
| 10249191 | This is a Technical Journal: 12V Battery Testing Method |
| 10241661 | COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADE C00009 DESCRIPTION. |
| 10241651 | Rubber cushion |
| 10234826 | Left front LED flickers after turning car off |
| 10234675 | SiriusXM Tuner Replacement Process |
| 10219421 | Engine Control Module (EMS) Software (MSW) Information August 2022; Improvement List (Change Log) - US21+OBD22 (13L VGT, TC) And US17+OBD22 (11L) Emissions |
| 10219302 | Part information for AMT input shaft repair kits and the shim kit that is required for repair. |
| 10213885 | The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to be updated as products and repair methods evolve. |
| 10213883 | ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations |
| 10213882 | Battery Charger/maintainer requirement |
| 10212892 | Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS) |
| 10212891 | VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App |
| 10205651 | News Letter 70 |
| 10203167 | Volvo Chassis 2008 And Up LED Headlight Conversion Programming Procedure |
| 10188881 | Volvo?s Warranty Department tracks Retailer warranty spending by utilizing the Warranty Retailer Counseling Process (WRCP). The WRCP is used to gauge individual retailer performance on objective measures over time. By setting clear performance expectations and parameters and assisting retailers in focusing on individual processes and procedures, all retailers are provided with adequate tools to help achieve the ultimate goal of qualifying for self-authorization status. |
| 10182703 | This is a Technical Journal: It has been noticed on requested materials that PAS sensors are analyzed without finding any fault on the parts. As a help to the troubleshooting on parking assistance system, we have developed some points of possible actions in case of problems. False detection may be caused by various reason explained in this Technical Journal. |
| 10181041 | Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them. |
| 10179681 | This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Service 2.0 Software & Total Upgrade Reminder |
| 10178520 | This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Volvo Lithium-ion Hybrid Battery Packs shipping and handling to Volvo Reman |
| 10178516 | This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Volvo Lithium-ion Hybrid Battery Packs shipping and handling to Volvo Reman |
| 10178503 | Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them. |
| 10177392 | Effective immediately, all 12V batteries may be tested using the hand held battery tester 9513030 (BT3300). The VIDA test is still available but no longer required. For battery replacements under warranty, the code generated by the BT3300 must be manually copied into the repair order text. It must also be printed and attached to the hard copy of the repair order. |
| 10177386 | Service Manager Bulletin: Vehicle Type and Platform Information |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)