Most common 2008 Volvo VHD problems
Share of the 2 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo VHD complaints by model year
2008 Volvo VHD recalls (10)
Exterior lighting
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2004-2019 Volvo VHD trucks equipped with snow plow lamp preparation kits. The snow plow headlights can be turned on without other exterior lights, and high beam indicator will not work when the snow plow high beams are on.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the software related to the plow lights, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586.
Power train › Clutch assembly
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 VAH, VHD, VNL, VNM, and VT models. The affected vehicles were built without a redundant clutch disengagement switch.
Remedy: Volvo Trucks will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the vehicles if necessary. The recall began on August 26, 2013. Volvo's recall number is RVXX1303. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.
Seat belts
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2002-2013 VHD and VN trucks, manufactured from August 4, 2000, through June 22, 2012, and equipped with bench passenger seats. The seat belt d-ring weld may not be sufficient enough to meet the seat belt pull test.
Remedy: Volvo Trucks of America will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspected d-ring, free of change. The safety recall began on May 10, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 vhd, vnl, vnm, as well as 2008-2010 vt vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of part 567, "certification." the tire description May be incorrect on the vehicle's certification label.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the labels free of charge. The safety recall began on February 25, 2011. Owners May contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Volvo trucks is recalling 127,764 my 2001-2008 vhd, vnl, vnm, and my 2005-2008 vt trucks. A seal May fail allowing water and contaminants to seep into the windshield wiper motor.
Remedy: Volvo will replace the wiper motor free of charge. Since this recall involves a large number of vehicles, Volvo will release the recall in stages as parts are received.
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
On certain heavy duty trucks, the circuit protection (I.e. Automatic circuit breakers) used to protect the vehicle lighting system May not provide adequate protection.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the circuit breakers with fuses. The recall began on February 25, 2008. Owners May contact Volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Show 4 more recalls
Trailer hitches › Fifth wheel assembly
On certain trucks equipped with a saf holland simplex fifth wheel, the lever arm pivot bolt May have been over tightened. An over tightened pivot bolt can distort the pivot bolt spacer sleeve, which May prevent the fifth wheel latch jaw from closing and latching securely around the trailer king pin.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the pivot bolt and sleeve with a hex head shoulder bolt and washer free of charge. The recall began on January 28, 2008. Owners May contact Volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments
On certain trucks, the hood restraint cylinder does not contain enough dampening to adequately restrain the hood.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hood restraint cylinders free of charge. The recall began on October 15, 2007. Owners May contact Volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Fuel system, diesel
On certain trucks, an unprotected lead in the thermoswitch of the heater May make contact with another post possibly creating a short circuit, which can result in continuous operation of the heating element.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the thermoswitch and will replace it if necessary. The recall began on September 10, 2007. Owners May contact Volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Steering
On certain trucks, the nut used to retain the steering shaft May or May not be a lock nut that has the locking feature. A lock nut is required to provide additional resistance to ensure that the nut does not come loose.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering shaft pinch bolts and locknuts free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2007. Owners May contact Volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2008 Volvo VHD:
Stop Lamp Switch Signal
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data from the manufacturer that indicated some number of subject vehicles equipped with the subject automated manual transmission had allegedly experienced a condition where the clutch failed to automatically disengage the transmission from the engine as intended.
Saf holland fifth wheel assembly
On October 18, 2007 Volvo trucks north America filed defect report 07v-496 which outlines a safety recall program to notify the affected owners and correct the affected vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Volvo VHD a good car?
Based on 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 VHD rates few complaints: 2.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the VHD 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 VHD?
The fuel & propulsion system — 1 complaint, 50% of all complaints for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2008 Volvo VHD have?
There are 10 recalls for the 2008 Volvo VHD, the most recent from October 30, 2018 (exterior lighting). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do 2008 Volvo VHD problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 89,000 miles; 0% 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.