2008 Volvo VN Problems & Complaints

Few complaints1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the VN at the same age

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2008 Volvo VN with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is a low number of complaints for a car on sale this long. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (1 complaint). 2 recalls cover this model year.

2complaints
2recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2008 Volvo VN problems

  • Engine & cooling
    150%
  • Body & structure
    150%

Share of the 2 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Volvo VN complaints by model year

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’16’20’21’22’23’24’25’26995131223221532
Owner complaints per model year, Volvo VN. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best VN years: 2011, 2012, 2016. Compare all years →

2008 Volvo VN recalls (2)

Seat belts

NHTSA recall 12V-510 · Oct 18, 2012 · 1,496 vehicles

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.

Service brakes, air › Supply › Quick release valve

NHTSA recall 10V-571 · Nov 12, 2010 · 6,187 vehicles

Volvo trucks is recalling certain model year 2007 and 2009 vhd, model year 2006 through 2010 vn, and model year 2007 through 2009 vt trucks manufactured from November 7, 2005, through October 30, 2009, equipped with an air release fifth wheel.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the inversion valve and replace as required. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before February 18, 2011.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Volvo VN:

Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding

NHTSA investigation RQ11001 · opened May 23, 2011 · closed Jan 20, 2012

ODI opened Recall Query RQ11-001 after a review of EWR Field Reports identified lower bunk window separations on the subject vehicles.Volvo had issued three recalls for sleeper window separations since 2003.Additionally, Volvo had issued two bulletins for sleeper window issues during the same time period.The frequency of related actions led ODI to open this formal investigation.An Information Request (IR) letter was…

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Volvo VN a good car?

Based on 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 VN rates few complaints: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the VN 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 VN?

The engine & cooling — 1 complaint, 50% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › diesel. Next is the body & structure (1).

How many recalls does the 2008 Volvo VN have?

There are 2 recalls for the 2008 Volvo VN, the most recent from October 18, 2012 (seat belts). 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 VN?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2012 and 2016. See the full Volvo VN years comparison.

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.