Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2008 Volvo S40. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗760 PORTABLE AUTOMOTIVE GPS UNITS/GARMIN
- Summary
- 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.
POWER STEERING HOSES/HUTCHINSON FLEXIBLES
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (16)
16 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 4 | 25% |
| Engine | 4 | 25% |
| Steering | 4 | 25% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 18.8% |
| Visibility | 3 | 18.8% |
| Air bags | 2 | 12.5% |
| Suspension | 2 | 12.5% |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 6.3% |
| Seats | 1 | 6.3% |
| Tires | 1 | 6.3% |
How 2008 compares with other S40 years
Best and worst S40 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 27 | 1 |
| 2003 | 18 | 2 |
| 2004 | 48 | 6 |
| 2005 | 69 | 3 |
| 2006 | 58 | 3 |
| 2007 | 25 | 2 |
| 2008 | 16 | 2 |
| 2009 | 10 | 3 |
| 2010 | 9 | 2 |
| 2011 | 5 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 386 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 5-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | $3,550 | 386 |
| 2.4 L 5-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | $3,550 | 386 |
| 2.5 L 5-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 23 | $3,550 | 386 |
| 2.5 L 5-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 2.5 L 5-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2.5 L 5-cyl · 6-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2008 S40 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2008 Volvo S40 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2008 Volvo S40 have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 10V566000 (electrical), 08V329000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2008 Volvo S40 problems?
Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (4), Engine (4), Steering (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2008 Volvo S40 get?
EPA rates the 2.4 L 5-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 20 city, 28 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2008 S40 compare with other years?
Among the 2002–2011 Volvo S40 model years at least five years old, the 2011 drew the fewest complaints (5) and the 2005 the most (69). The 2008 drew 16. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.