2008 Volvo XC90
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 8 of 29 complaints (28%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 38 in 2007 to 29 in 2008.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2008 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,300–5,150 | 4,300–5,150 | 4,850–5,150 | 3,650–4,150 | 3,450–4,150 | |
| Combined MPG | 15–18 | 15–18 | 15–16 | 15–17 | 15–18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 13–15 / 19–21 | 13–15 / 19–21 | 13–14 / 19–20 | 13–14 / 19–20 | 13–15 / 19–22 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494–592 | 494–592 | 555–592 | 523–592 | 494–592 | |
| Complaints filed | 53 | 38 | 29 | 7 | 12 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Volvo XC90 have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2008 Volvo XC90?
Engine: 8 of 29 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Volvo XC90 get?
EPA rates it 15–16 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Volvo XC90?
EPA estimates $4,850–$5,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 14 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | 16 mpg (high) | $4,850 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | 16 mpg (high) | $4,850 (low) | 555 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 4.4L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 13 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $5,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) · Campaign 10V566000 · Nov 16, 2010
Defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
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 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · Campaign 08V206000 · May 6, 2008
Defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING 102 MY 2008 XC90 AND S80 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT BOLTS TO THE ENGINE MOUNT.
Consequence: THE ALUMINUM BRACKET FOR THE ENGINE MOUNT COULD BREAK DUE TO LACK OF ADEQUATE CLAMPING FORCE. THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE SUB-FRAME, ULTIMATELY RESULTING IN A REDUCED ENGINE TORQUE OR STALLING OF THE ENGINE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS FOR SPECIFIC MARKINGS. IF ANY OF THE BOLTS CONTAIN THE INCORRECT MARKINGS, THE BRACKET AND BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OWNERS HAVE BEEN CONTACTED AND ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO REPAIR THESE VEHICLES.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM · Campaign 07V563000 · Dec 12, 2007
Defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE (CCM) MAY RECEIVE A 'SHUT-DOWN SIGNAL' FROM THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) AFTER IGNITION KEY INSERTION. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL FUNCTIONS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE (INCLUDING THE DEFROSTER) DURING THAT DRIVING CYCLE.
Consequence: INOPERATIVE DEFROSTERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE IMPAIRED VISIBILITY WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: THE ECM SOFTWARE WILL BE UPGRADED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.