The 2008 Volvo S40 has 16 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 4 complaints, typically surfacing around 82,667 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2008 S40?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2008 Volvo S40? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 82,667 mi · ~$700 to fix
visibility — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 86,333 mi · ~$350 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 82,667 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
steering (~$700) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2008 S40· suspensionCrash
I was driving my 2008 Volvo s40 stopped in traffic when I was in major/severe rear end collision. The force of the impact (70+ MPH) pushed me into a vehicle ahead which caused severe frontal damage that went all the way past my radiator. Property damages over $17k and airbags…
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…
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…
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…
Had a problem with your 2008 Volvo S40?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units may overheat
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2008 Volvo S40 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Volvo S40 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2008 Volvo S40?
On the NHTSA data, the 2008 Volvo S40 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2008 Volvo S40?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 4 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 82,667 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2008 Volvo S40 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 16 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 82,667 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Volvo S40?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 4 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 82,667 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 82,667 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Volvo S40 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Volvo S40?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 16 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 5 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Volvo/S40.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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