2008 Volvo XC70 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Volvo XC70 ranks worst of 12 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 39 complaints, mostly Fuel System issues (33% of complaints). It carries 8 recall campaigns and is rated Avoid relative to other XC70 years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 12 XC70 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 39
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2008 Volvo XC70 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System13 (33%)
- Engine8 (21%)
- Electrical System5 (13%)
- Other5 (13%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (13%)
- Airbags4 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (10%)
- Brakes3 (8%)
- Seat Belts1 (3%)
- Steering1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles reportedly lurch or surge forward suddenly while slowing to park, even with firm brake pressure applied.
- Owners describe sudden loss of engine power on highways, with the car dropping from highway speed to a stop in under a minute.
- Fuel gauge readings sometimes do not match actual fuel level, leading to unexpected running out of gas.
- Tires reportedly wear out or fail prematurely, in one case linked to a corroded TPMS sensor causing a blowout.
- Airbag warning lights illuminate and recur even after dealer programming updates, without full repair.
- One engine fire occurred with the vehicle's engine described as completely destroyed.
2008 Volvo XC70 recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V378000Jun 30, 2020Seat Belts308,260 vehicles
Seat belts:front
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.
Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
- NHTSA 10V566000Nov 8, 2010Other416 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 10V190000May 7, 2010Other679 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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.
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Remedy: The corrective action is to update the vehicles with a new fmvss label, tire and loading information label and tpms software. Volvo retailers will also apply a label with correct maximum tire pressure information to the owner's manual. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on june 14, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
2008 Volvo XC70 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other XC70 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Volvo XC70 reliable?
- Among 12 XC70 model years tracked, 2008 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst overall, earning an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common 2008 XC70 problems?
- Fuel System complaints are the largest category, making up 33% of all complaints, followed by Engine issues at 21% and Electrical System problems at 13%.
- Does the 2008 Volvo XC70 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2008 XC70, covering areas including seat belts, engine cooling fan software, airbag control software, and wiper functionality.
- What year XC70 should I avoid?
- Both 2008 and 2010 carry an Avoid verdict, with 2008 having the highest complaint index (100) among all 12 years of the model tracked.