Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2008 Volvo XC70, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel system, gasoline9
- Air bags4
- Electrical system4
- Engine4
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Visibility/wiper3
- Service brakes3
- Unknown or other3
- Vehicle speed control2
- Visibility2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2008 Volvo XC70 failed the safety check 1.66% of the time — 33% less often than the average 2008 passenger car (2.48%). Median odometer at inspection: 151,656 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2008 Volvo XC70 cars on Dutch roads are the 3.2 petrol (175 kW, 235 hp), 2.4 diesel (136 kW, 182 hp) and 2.4 diesel (120 kW, 161 hp), out of 4 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3.2 petrol | 175 kW 235 hp | 545 |
| 2.4 diesel | 136 kW 182 hp | 479 |
| 2.4 diesel | 120 kW 161 hp | 28 |
| 2.5 petrol | 154 kW 207 hp | 23 |
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
1,092 first registered in 2008 are on Dutch roads; 39% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €70,574.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde418
- Band onvoldoende profiel325
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)270
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt228
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm185
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld167
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen150
- Band beschadigd120
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
831 cars built in 2008 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 91 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, 1,027 of these cars first registered in 2008 took their annual MOT test. 68% 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 | 15.6% | 19.8% |
| Suspension | 10.9% | 17.2% |
| Tyres | 5.6% | 7.6% |
| Visibility | 5.4% | 6.7% |
| Brakes | 5.2% | 11.3% |
| Steering | 3.5% | 3.2% |
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
804 of these cars first registered in 2008 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 378,000 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
73 2008 cars are on the New Zealand register; 58% arrived as used imports, 42% 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 1 variant: combined 13.7 L/100 km (about 17 mpg US), CO₂ 315 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| XC70 3.2 AWD · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 16.1 | 10.9 | 13.7 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
6 Transport Canada recalls for the 2008 Volvo XC70.
| 2020298 30 Jun 2020 | Seats And Restraints Issue: On certain vehicles, the flexible steel cable that attaches the seat belt to the outside of the front seats may weaken over time. As a result, the seat… |
| 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… |
| 2009179 10 Jun 2009 | Engine On certain vehicles, the engine cooling fan may stop working due to a software programming error in the Fan Control Module (FCM). Depending on conditions, the … |
| 2009124 23 Apr 2009 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the diagnostic software in the Central Electronic Module (CEM) may cause a malfunction of the windshield wiper functionality. If this occu… |
| 2007400 12 Dec 2007 | Label Certain vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of CMVSS 120 - Tire Selection and Rims. The wheel information label, located on the rear driver's side doo… |
| 2007353 2 Nov 2007 | Airbag On certain vehicles, incorrect software was programmed into the Safety Restraint System (SRS) control module. As a result, the inflatable curtain and side impa… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
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 CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 5, 2006 THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2009 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE FMVSS LABEL, TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND A PAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL CONTAIN INCORRECT MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE INFLATION PRESSURE ACCORDING TO FMVSS 110.
VOLVO IS RECALLING 17,614 MY 2008-2009 S80, V70, AND XC70 VEHICLES. THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING ERROR IN THE FAN CONTROL MODULE (FCM). DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CUSTOMER MAY EXPERIENCE REDUCED AIR CONDITIONING PERFORMANCE, AND/OR RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE.
VOLVO IS RECALLING 12,303 MY 2007-2008 S80 AND V70 VEHICLES. THE DIAGNOSTIC SOFTWARE IN THE CENTRAL ELECTRONIC MODULE (CEM) MAY CAUSE A MALFUNCTION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTIONALITY. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY NOT OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED; OR IN CERTAIN CASES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY ACTIVATE WHEN NOT SWITCHED ON.
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR INTEGRATED BOOSTER SEATS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE LABELING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 213, "CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS." LABELS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE MISSING WARNING INFORMATION INDICATING THAT 'DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY CAN OCCUR' IF THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT FOLLOWED WHEN USING CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE WHEEL INFORMATION LABEL LOCATED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PILLAR WAS PRINTED MISSING THE WHEEL SIZE (RIM) INFORMATION.
IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, TWO SOFTWARE ERRORS HAVE BEEN FOUND IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) CONTROL UNIT SOFTWARE. THIS MAY RESULT IN A LATE DEPLOYMENT OF THE INFLATABLE CURTAIN (IC) AND SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION SYSTEM (SIPS) AIR BAGS IN CERTAIN SIDE IMPACT CRASH SITUATIONS. IN ADDITION, THIS SOFTWARE ERROR MAY ALSO CAUSE THE 'SRS AIRBAG - SERVICE URGENT' MESSAGE AND SRS WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.
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 XC70: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11007925 | Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service |
| 10249398 | Left front LED flickers after turning car off - Check outer position bulbs |
| 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 |
| 10234736 | Sensus screen freezes/system locks up |
| 10234735 | Front brake pads, early or uneven wear on right side on 16" and 16.5" brakes |
| 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. |
| 10213887 | Center wheel caps, removal instruction |
| 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 |
| 10203167 | Volvo Chassis 2008 And Up LED Headlight Conversion Programming Procedure |
| 10190794 | Create PB with attached word doc. |
| 10190559 | This is to inform you that we have procured Rebuilders Automotive Supply (RAS) to handle the returns of the recalled Front Seat Belt Fastener Pretensioner for Recall R10029. RAS has created instructions for the pretensioner shipping procedures. You MUST review and inform your staff as to the requirements for handling the returns. There are specific measures as these pretensioners are classified as hazardous materials. A Parts Bulletin with this same information has also been created to ensure your Parts Department will receive these instructions in case they will be handling the returns. |
| 10190558 | This is to inform you that we have procured Rebuilders Automotive Supply (RAS) to handle the returns of the recalled Front Seat Belt Fastener Pretensioner for Recall R10029. RAS has created instructions for the pretensioner shipping procedures. You MUST review and inform your staff as to the requirements for handling the returns. There are specific measures as these pretensioners are classified as hazardous materials. A Parts Bulletin with this same information has also been created to ensure your Parts Department will receive these instructions in case they will be handling the returns. |
| 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 |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)