2008 Volvo S40 recalls and problems

The 2008 Volvo S40 has 2 recalls and 16 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is electrical system.

How the 2008 compares

Low

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Low complaint count among 12 S40 model years — 9th most.

2recalls

16complaints

5crashes

0fires

2injuries

75,265median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

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2 recalls

Equipment

Nov 8, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V566000 · 416 vehicles

Problem: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units May overheat.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Original NHTSA wording

AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy & notes

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.

Volvo safety recall no. R231.owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Steering

Jul 23, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V329000 · 1,020 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: This can result in a rapid drainage of the power steering fluid in the system and a complete loss of power assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS CAN RESULT IN A RAPID DRAINAGE OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE SYSTEM AND A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

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.

Volvo recall no. 201.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Electrical System4

Engine4

Steering4

Vehicle Speed Control3

Visibility3

Air Bags2

Suspension2

Electronic Stability Control1

Seats1

Tires1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2008 vs. other Volvo S40 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2008. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2008 Volvo S40 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2008 Volvo S40, the latest from Nov 8, 2010 (equipment). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Volvo S40?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention electrical system (4), engine (4), steering (4). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.