RecallMyCar

2008 Volvo S40 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 2008 Volvo S40, and owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

2
safety recalls
16
owner complaints to NHTSA
5 / 0
complaints citing a crash / fire
20–23
MPG combined (EPA)

2 safety recalls for the 2008 Volvo S40

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Navigational system(global positioning system) (equipment)

    NHTSA 10V566000 Reported 416 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

    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. The unit's battery will be replaced with a new battery and a…

  2. Hose, piping, and connections (steering)

    NHTSA 08V329000 Reported 1,020 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

    Volvo is recalling my 2008-2009 vehicles. A section of the power steering return line hose was not properly vulcanized (cured) and does not meet specifications. If the power steering return hose fails, a sudden rupture of the hose can occur.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering return line hose assembly free of charge. The recall began on august 13, 2008. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2008 Volvo S40 have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA; 5 describe a crash. Reports cite 2 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 85,767 miles. Complaints peaked in 2015 with 5 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“The contact owns a 2008 Volvo S40. The contact stated while his spouse was driving 70 MPH, the moon roof exploded. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manuf”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 6, 2022 · Visibility

“After buying the vehicle on 7/9/21, the car started having problems with the cooling system. I took it to a repair shop and they said the cooling system was overfilled. The air problem continued. I to”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 10, 2021 · Electrical system

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2008 Volvo S40 (S40 AWD, S40 FWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined20–23 mpg
City / Highway17–20 / 25–28
FuelPremium
EPA classCompact Cars
Engine5 cyl, 2.4/2.5 L
TransmissionAutomatic (S5); Manual 5-spd; Manual 6-spd

Compare Volvo S40 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Volvo S40 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2000 Volvo S401122
2001 Volvo S40284
2002 Volvo S40127
2003 Volvo S40218
2004 Volvo S40648
2005 Volvo S40369
2006 Volvo S40358
2007 Volvo S40225
2008 Volvo S40216
2009 Volvo S40310
2010 Volvo S4029
2011 Volvo S4025

Checking a specific 2008 Volvo S40

How do I know if my 2008 Volvo S40 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2008 Volvo S40; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Volvo dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 08V329000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Volvo models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.