Most common 2008 Volvo S80 problems
Share of the 26 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo S80 complaints by model year
Best S80 years: 2011, 2005, 2012. Years to avoid: 2001, 2002, 2004, 2003, 2008. Compare all years →
2008 Volvo S80 recalls (7)
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.
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.
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.
Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 s80 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." the tire and loading information label and a page in the owner's manual contain incorrect maximum permissible inflation pressure and the tire…
Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicles with a new tire and loading information label, owner's manual label and TPMS software. This service will be performed free of charge.
Electrical system › Software
Volvo is recalling my 2008-2010 s80, model year 2009-2010 xc70 and model year 2010 xc60 vehicles. Under certain conditions the software within the central electronic module (cem) May not send a signal to the fuel pump electronic module (pem). This missing signal to the pem inhibits the start of the fuel pump.
Remedy: Dealers will download software to the vehicles' cem free of charge. The recall began on September 30, 2009. Vehicles in dealer's inventory will be repaired prior to delivery. Owners May contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fan control module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2009. Owners May contact Volvo customer care center at 1-800-458-1552.
Electrical system › Software
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the cem and upgrade the software free of charge. The recall began on May 15, 2009. Owners May contact Volvo customer care center at 1-800-458-1552, or customercare@volvoforlife.com.
Show 1 more recall
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine mount bolts for specific markings. If any of the bolts contain the incorrect markings, the bracket and bolts will be replaced.
What 2008 Volvo S80 owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
I bought this car from elderly people. After I bought it and drove, there's lots of thing not according to safety standard? I asked them (seller) but they don't have any answer, due to their age. So, since last Tuesday, I am driving as it is. Hardly I put 250 miles so far. There's belt sign, Air bag sign, and Low tire air sign. All signs are showing in my dashboard and stays as long as car is on. So, I am scared to death to drive this car, car itself in a mint condition and it's got only 131K miles. Still there's is more life left on this car. I am also senior citizen and retired person. So, I need help to get these fixed asap please.
While pulling into a parking space from the driving lane of a parking lot, my Volvo had a surge of power that could not be controlled/stopped by applying the brakes. I was barely in motion with my foot on the brake when we (my mother, sister, and I) heard the engine roar and the car surged forward. I applied more pressure to the brake but the car would not stop and went over a wheel stop so I then started pumping the brake. The car finally stopped moving once it hit a pipe bollard but the engine would not turn off, my electrical went haywire and I could not get the car in park to remove the key. Upon impact the passenger seat belt did not hold my mother in place and the air bags didn't deploy. I am the original owner of this car which was in pristine condition but now wrecked. …
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2008 Volvo S80. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed Central Electronic Module (CEM). The contact was informed that the CEM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
1. In February 2017, while in motion on a city street, alternator failed, vehicle was towed to dealership, alternator was replaced 2. In August 2017, while in motion on city street, message displayed alerting on engine overheat -- slow down speed - then stop immediately. Vehicle was towed to dealership. On diagnostics, was established that only one fan was working on the cooling fan assembly causing overheat. 3. While at dealership for repairs of the cooling fan, diagnostics established the following: - code ECM-po19000: was recommended to replace fuel rail pressure sensor first (if same code comes back in the future, a fuel pump replacement was recommended) - tag light bulbs regularly go out - negative battery cable is corroded; replacement needed - power steering line leaking from rack to cooler, replacement needed; reservoir replacement needed -- has internal filter - power steering …
Windows, wipers & sunroof
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Volvo S80. While driving various speeds, the sun roof fractured without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,310.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Volvo S80. The contact stated that the windshield wiper activated independently before failing completely. The dealer inspected the vehicle and recommended replacing and reprogramming the battery. The battery was replaced but was not reprogrammed. The failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 09V139000 (electrical system: software) the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 59,185 and the current mileage was 59,203...updated 10/19/12 updated 10/25/2012
2008 Volvo S80 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 23 / 18 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Volvo S80 a good car?
Based on 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 S80 rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the S80 at the same age. It is one of the S80 years we suggest avoiding. 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 S80?
The fuel & propulsion system — 7 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (5) and windows, wipers & sunroof (4).
How many recalls does the 2008 Volvo S80 have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2008 Volvo S80, the most recent from June 30, 2020 (front). 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 S80?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2005 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001, 2002, 2004, 2003 and 2008. See the full Volvo S80 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Volvo S80 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 17% 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.