Most common 2008 Volvo VNL problems
Share of the 3 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo VNL complaints by model year
Best VNL years: 2017, 2020, 2021. Years to avoid: 2016, 2007. Compare all years →
2008 Volvo VNL recalls (12)
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.
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.
Service brakes, air
Volvo trucks is recalling 366 my 2006-2009 vnl trucks equipped with super single tires, bendix brake cam tubes, and Volvo air suspension. The vibration frequency from the suspension with super single tires May result in a fatigue crack of the mounting brackets for the brake cam tube.
Remedy: Dealers will add a support bracket to the brake cam tube. The recall began on June 30, 2009. Owners May contact Volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Diesel
On certain trucks, an incorrect software parameter was loaded which resulted in the diesel particulate filter (DPF) 'inhibit' function being disabled. The 'inhibit' function is a means for the driver to stop a DPF regeneration from occurring if a vehicle is in a location that May present a hazardous situation.
Remedy: Dealers will change the control parameters. The recall began on February 15, 2008. Owners May contact Volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
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 6 more recalls
Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
On certain trucks, the bolts that attach the steering gear to the frame May not have been tightened to the specified torque.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the bolts free of charge. The recall began on December 3, 2007. Owners May contact Volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
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.
Power train › Axle assembly
On certain trucks, the axle housings May have been manufactured with steel that was out of specification which could result in a fatigue failure over time.
Remedy: Dealers will repair and inspect the axles and replace them free of charge. The recall began on April 9, 2007. Owners May contact Volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2008 Volvo VNL:
Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding
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…
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 VNL a good car?
Based on 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 VNL rates average: 29% fewer complaints than a typical year of the VNL 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 VNL?
The brakes — 1 complaint, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (1) and steering (1).
How many recalls does the 2008 Volvo VNL have?
There are 12 recalls for the 2008 Volvo VNL, the most recent from June 26, 2013 (clutch assembly). 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 VNL?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2020 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016 and 2007. See the full Volvo VNL years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Volvo VNL problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 81,000 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.