2008 Volvo S40 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (3) · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly (2) · Suspension (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volvo S40 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2010-11-08 · campaign 10V566000 · 416 vehicles
Defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Risk: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Fix: 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 SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Service bulletins (158)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-04-23 · 35526.1.8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: text plus 2 pdfs and 1 .png oil consumption test. perform the test. follow service procedure description and service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-07 · 37809.1.1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a tj text only - the purpose of this tj is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. this tj will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval. current items under prior approval are listed in the "service" sec
Unknown Or Other 2025-12-06 · 19245 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal. vehicle type and platform identification.
Exterior Lighting 2025-04-10 · 8501 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: remote connection, bomgar application. before joining a remote session: •connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in vida is between 12.5v and 14.9v. •connect to the vehicle over a wired connection using a voe
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-21 · S10303 · Service Campaign
volvo cars usa llc and volvo car canada ltd on behalf of the volvo car corporation has decided to launch service action s10303 on certain model year 2025 ex90 vehicles. volvo car investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob. as a result, there is a possibil
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-13 · S10303 · Service Campaign
volvo cars usa llc and volvo car canada ltd on behalf of the volvo car corporation has decided to launch service action s10303 on certain model year 2025 ex90 vehicles. volvo car investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob. as a result, there is a possibil
Showing the 6 most recent of 158 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-06-06 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 133,000 mi“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 manufacturer was not informed of the failure. the failure mileage was 133,000.…”
2021-08-10 · Suspension · 💥 crash“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 took it back to the dealership who said they fixed it but it continued. i contacted the prior manufactuer service center who informed me the computer ch…”
2020-02-20 · Steering · 100,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo s40. the contact stated that after exiting a store and entering the vehicle, the contact was unable to restart the vehicle. the contact stated that there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. the contact stated that a message displayed on the instrument panel stated to turn the steering wheel and try aga…”
2018-08-08 · Engine · 191,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo s40. while driving 60 mph, the vehicle overheated and stalled. in addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. the dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not informed of the failure. the failure mileage…”
2017-03-02 · Electrical System · 75,265 mi“the air pump has a faulty switch, started ringing when i turn the engine off. the mechanic says the switch isn't shutting off correctly.…”
2016-10-24 · Tires:sidewall“tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo s40 equipped with continental extremecontact dws tires, size: 205/50/17 (na). while driving approximately 35 mph, the front passenger side tire experienced a sidewall blow out after driving over gravel in the road. during the incident, the vehicle sustained damage to the suspension, bumper, and rocker panel. the ca…”
2015-09-06 · Steering · 69,000 mi“2008 s40, car was placed in park and turned off while running errands, no problems. came out of the store and placed the key into the ignition and received this error message, "turn steering, try start again." prior to this, the car was completely operable. removed the key and inserted key into the ignition again and nothing happened. i noticed th…”
2015-08-07 · Unknown Or Other“i was getting in my car with my two young children and the car would not start (turn steering wheel and try to start again). i tried multiple times, but it would not start. after 15 minutes, i decided it was too hot with my children outside so i went inside. i checked an hour later, the car would not start. my husband was able to start the car …”
2015-07-27 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 73,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo s40. the contact stated that the sun roof was leaking water into the vehicle. the vehicle was involved in a front end collision while driving 25 mph. the air bags did not deploy. there was a warning indicator illuminated. the dealer stated that water may have stopped the air bags from deploying. there were no injur…”
2015-07-27 · Engine · 77,800 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo s40. the contact stated that the oil trap and ventilation hose were damaged. the contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated, the vehicle made an abnormal noise, and there was an oil leak in the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was confirmed the failure was in …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.