Most common 2008 Volvo S60 problems
Share of the 10 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo S60 complaints by model year
Best S60 years: 2011, 2025, 2021. Years to avoid: 2012, 2024, 2013, 2015, 2001. Compare all years →
2008 Volvo S60 recalls (2)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2006 S80 and 2001-2009 S60 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552.
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.
What 2008 Volvo S60 owners say
Speed control & acceleration
On the above date I started my vehicle and put the vehicle in reverse to pull out of parking space. Immediately after releasing my foot from the brake and before touching the gas pedal, the car accelerated in reverse so fast that I bounced off a cement pole in the middle of the parking lot. The force was so great that the vehicle bounced three times before I was able to stop it which I did by applying the brake and being blocked by the pole. After I came to a stop I realized that it was in fact the pole that had stopped my car. I was also blocking the parking lot so I put my foot back on brake and put the car in drive to get out of way of other motorists and to assess damage to the rear of my vehicle. …
Tl contact owns a 2008 Volvo S60. When the vehicle stopped with the contacts foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle surged forward, resulting in a crash. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure occurred three times, resulting in a minor crash on one occasion, which a police report was filed. No injuries were reported. The failure and current mileages were 22,000.
2008 Volvo S60 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.4L 5-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.4L 5-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Volvo S60 a good car?
Based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 S60 rates better than average: 72% fewer complaints than a typical year of the S60 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 S60?
The speed control & acceleration — 4 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (2) and engine & cooling (2).
How many recalls does the 2008 Volvo S60 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2008 Volvo S60, the most recent from September 30, 2021 (inflator module). 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 S60?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2025 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012, 2024, 2013, 2015 and 2001. See the full Volvo S60 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Volvo S60 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 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.