Most common 2008 Volvo C70 problems
Share of the 22 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo C70 complaints by model year
Best C70 years: 2010, 2002, 2009. Years to avoid: 2000, 1999, 2001, 2012. Compare all years →
2008 Volvo C70 recalls (3)
Equipment › Other › Labels
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 c70 vehicles manufactured from November 15, 2005, through July 31, 2011, and model year 2011-2012 s60 vehicles manufactured from July 14, 2010, through April 16, 2011, that were equipped with optional accessory spare tire kit.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and dealers will inspect the vehicle and install the label as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on February 23, 2012. Owners May contact Volvo at 1-201-768-7300.
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.
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.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering return line hose assembly free of charge. The recall began on August 13, 2008. Owners May contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
What 2008 Volvo C70 owners say
Body & structure
This vehicle is the C70 convertible. When driving and hitting a speed bump or a pothole, both the driver and passenger doors pop open from a fully closed state to a partially open state. The doors do NOT fully disengage but in the partially closed state the doors rattle and shake. When this happens, the "door open" warning light appears on the dashboard, and you need to fully open the door and then re-close it. On a standard trip of 25 miles, this occurs no less than 6 times. So this is an ongoing everyday situation. It is a bit disconcerting to be in the car and hear that first door pop and feel the door shake and rattle.
The "passenger side door open" indicator suddenly showed on the dash while driving approximately 50MPH. As I slowed down , I asked my wife that was in the passenger seat to make sure her door was properly shut. The door opened right up without unlatching, she then promptly shut it and made sure it was secure. About 45 minutes later the same thing happened again. After investigating, I found this is a common issue with certain Volvo models. recalled for some models, not recalled for my model.
Steering
The rear camber arms of the Volvo c 70 are failing at an alarming rate. Not only are tires wearing unevenly at owners expense, the failure of the arms causes the car to become totally uncontrollable. Volvo in a recent publication acknowledged the problem with their original equipment but yet fails to issue a recall and replace order.
Driving down the highway, power steering went out all of a sudden making it very difficult to steer. Hard to make turns. Had it inspected next day- and the power steering line had ruptured. I now have to have the entire line replaced.
2008 Volvo C70 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Volvo C70 a good car?
Based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 C70 rates average: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the C70 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Volvo C70?
The body & structure — 10 complaints, 45% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the steering (4) and wheels & tires (2).
How many recalls does the 2008 Volvo C70 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2008 Volvo C70, the most recent from October 18, 2011 (labels). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volvo C70?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2002 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000, 1999, 2001 and 2012. See the full Volvo C70 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Volvo C70 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 58,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.