2008 Volvo S40 Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Volvo S40.

20072009
Complaints
27
Crashes
11
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Fatalities
—
Recalls
1

Worst 2008 Volvo S40 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#14 complaints

Electrical Faults

Crash-related:1
#24 complaints

Engine Problems

Crash-related:1
#34 complaints

Steering Defects

Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Volvo S40.

Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Sunroof/Moonroof
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Sidewall
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Volvo S40. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2008 Volvo S40

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~416 vehicles.

10V566000Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)
~416 affected

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

Other Volvo S40 Years

200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011

2008 Volvo S40 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2008 Volvo S40 reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2008 Volvo S40 has 27 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 4 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2008 Volvo S40?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (4 complaints); Engine Problems (4 complaints); Steering Defects (4 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 2008 Volvo S40?
NHTSA complaints for the 2008 Volvo S40 include 11 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2008 Volvo S40 have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 416 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2008 Volvo S40?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Volvo S40 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2008 Volvo S40

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

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