Volvo S60 problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 10 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average
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 S60? 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
- cruise control — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 58,333 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: cruise control is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 58,333 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is cruise control (~$600) — 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.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2008 Volvo S60
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.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 1 category with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My air bags malfunctioned when I was in a motor vehicle accident in this vehicle. We were hit in the front left side and both the drivers side and passenger airbags tried to deploy, but never deployed releasing a form of mist instead. This vehicle was totaled and towed away…
On the above date I started my vehicle and put the vehicle in reverse to pull out of parking space. Immediately after releasing my foot from the brake and before touching the gas pedal, the car accelerated in reverse so fast that I bounced off a cement pole in the middle of the…
My vehicle was involved in a head on collison on 10-30-2021. My driver side air bag came out but had a hole in it while my passenger side airbags didn't come out at all.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 Volvo s60. When the vehicle stopped with the contacts foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle surged forward, resulting in a crash. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2008 Volvo S60 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Volvo S60 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 S60?
On the NHTSA data, the 2008 Volvo S60 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 8.8/10 — above the segment average. 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 S60?
Inspect the cruise control first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 3 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 58,333 miles. Average repair cost runs about $600 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 S60 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 10 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is cruise control. Typical failure occurs around 58,333 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 S60?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is cruise control, with 3 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 58,333 miles. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The cruise control is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 58,333 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Volvo S60 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 S60?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 10 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $600, 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.