Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2008 Volvo XC90, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system8
- Engine6
- Power train4
- Seat belts4
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Electronic stability control (esc)3
- Unknown or other3
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Vehicle speed control1
- Visibility1
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
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 13 2008 XC90 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 3 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2008 Volvo XC90 failed the safety check 2.89% of the time — 16% more often than the average 2008 passenger car (2.48%). Median odometer at inspection: 156,154 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2008 Volvo XC90 cars on Dutch roads are the 3.2 petrol (175 kW, 235 hp), 2.4 diesel (136 kW, 182 hp) and 4.4 petrol (232 kW, 311 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3.2 petrol | 175 kW 235 hp | 306 |
| 2.4 diesel | 136 kW 182 hp | 180 |
| 4.4 petrol | 232 kW 311 hp | 85 |
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
597 first registered in 2008 are on Dutch roads; 54% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €81,799.
Most common APK defects
- Band onvoldoende profiel291
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde253
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)198
- Remvertraging / remwerking parkeerrem onvoldoende172
- Achterlicht werkt niet (goed)143
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm119
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen116
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld115
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,186 cars built in 2008 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 287 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, 1,745 of these cars first registered in 2008 took their annual MOT test. 60% 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 | 21.3% | 19.8% |
| Brakes | 18.6% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 9.5% | 17.2% |
| Tyres | 7.7% | 7.6% |
| Visibility | 5.3% | 6.7% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.4% | 7.3% |
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 New Zealand
109 2008 cars are on the New Zealand register; 62% arrived as used imports, 36% 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 3 variants: combined 14.4–15.5 L/100 km (about 15–16 mpg US), CO₂ 331–357 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| XC90 3.2 · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 16.6 | 11.8 | 14.4 |
| XC90 3.2 AWD · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 16.8 | 11.9 | 14.6 |
| XC90 V8 AWD · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 18.0 | 12.5 | 15.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2008 Volvo XC90.
| 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… |
| 2008150 2 May 2008 | Engine Certain vehicles may have been inadvertently assembled with incorrect engine mount bolts. The longer bolts do not provide adequate clamping force to the bracke… |
| 2007390 6 Dec 2007 | Heater And Defroster On certain vehicles, the Climate Control Module may receive a "Shut-down signal" from the Engine Control Module (ECM) after ignition key insertion. If this con… |
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 102 MY 2008 XC90 AND S80 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT BOLTS TO THE ENGINE MOUNT.
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.
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 XC90: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 10205670 | XC90 Noise/Squeal from rear brakes |
| 10203167 | Volvo Chassis 2008 And Up LED Headlight Conversion Programming Procedure |
| 10202436 | New Software Products (SP) have been developed to convert a Care Key to a standard key. |
| 10197371 | This is a Service Manager Bulletin : Volvo Electric Vehicle Technical De-Energization Permit to Work Form |
| 10192879 | The front MMS (MMS2) is no longer available as spare part. The vehicle can be adapted to use an IMS instead. |
| 10192878 | The front MMS (MMS2) is no longer available as spare part. The vehicle can be adapted to use an IMS instead. |
| 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. |
| 10182494 | This is a Service Manager Bulletin : Volvo Electric Vehicle Technical De-Energization Permit to Work Form |
| 10182493 | This is a Service Manager Bulletin : Volvo Electric Vehicle Technical De-Energization Permit to Work Form |
| 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 |
| 10173760 | This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Service 2.0 Software & Total Upgrade Reminder |
| 10171688 | This is a Technical Journal: 4 Cylinder VEP engine: Castrol Edge Professional V 0W-20 Synthetic oil. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)