The 2008 Volvo S40 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,436 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
EQUIPMENT10V5660002010-11-08416 affected
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…
STEERING08V3290002008-07-231,020 affected
Defect
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
1crashes
ENGINE
4
1crashes
STEERING
4
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3
1crashes1injuries
AIR BAGS
2
2crashes1injuries
SUSPENSION
2
2crashes1injuries
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
2
1crashes
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1
SEATS
1
1crashes1injuries
TIRES:SIDEWALL
1
Total complaints27
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2008 volvo s40. The contact stated while his spouse was driving 70 mph, the moon roof exploded. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.”
“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 contacted the prior…”
“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 contacted the prior…”
“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 contacted the prior…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo s40. The contact stated that after exiting a store and entering the vehicle, the contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that a message displayed on the instrument…”
“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 repaired. The manufacturer…”
“The air pump has a faulty switch, started ringing when I turn the engine off. The mechanic says the switch isn't shutting off correctly.”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo s40 equipped with continental extremecontact dws tires, size: 205/50/17 (na). While driving approximately 35 mph, the front passenger side tire experienced a sidewall blow out after driving over gravel in the road. During the incident, the vehicle sustained damage…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 Volvo S40 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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