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EnginePart report

2008 Volvo XC90 Engine Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
21%of 29 total for the year
Median mileage
92,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Volvo XC90, 21% of the 29 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was driving down the highway and my vehicle completely shut down and the steering locked. I was able to put on the emergency signals and the big rigs behind me blew their horns. They were getting closer to me because I was decelerating at a rate that would have resulted in a colission. Fortunately I was able to coast into an emergency lane while they went whipping past me. The Volvo service manager stated that he had heard of a similar situation before. In an email to me he stated that the pressure sensor was giving a faults reading, of excessive fuel pressure. …”

NHTSA complaint #11112482, filed 2018-07, 91,000 miles

“I own a 2008 XC90 with only 21000 miles on it. While driving, with my child in my car, I received a message reduced engine performance and my car started sputtering. I barely made it home, going over a small hill was a struggle. Mind you, this happened at night and I was scared to death that I was going to be stranded on the side of the road with my child. I have read on forums that this has happened to other customers and Volvo currently has a voluntary recall for etm at no cost to the consumer. When I entered my VIN on the Volvo site nothing came up. …”

NHTSA complaint #10925566, filed 2016-11, 21,000 miles

“All seatbelts in vehicle sticks and/or catches have to use seriously more pressure on release button,or seatbelt/latch it’s self or both. My wife and children have had me have to come get it because it wouldn’t release. Engine motor mount bolt had to be replaced, I noticed when alternator went out, vehicle wouldn’t respond from throttle acted like it was missing then threw dash lights then no lights all of a sudden it happened within 1-2mins vehicle wouldn’t respond while running stopped in middle of road. Didn’t give any warning was even going out. …”

NHTSA complaint #11715435, filed 2026-02

“Well I was at a red light waiting for the light to train green when I stepped on the Excelerator pedal I heard something snapped and the car would not move anymore I try to switch gears and the car would not move at all it would just accelerate the engine will sound like Like if I had the car on Neutral. In any gear I try to shift there was no warning in the vehicle no light turned on the only light that it was turned on was the one with the check engine because of the Cadillac converter but other than that no other lights were coming out or flashing”

NHTSA complaint #11457064, filed 2022-03

“The contact owns a 2008 Volvo XC90. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the temperature gauge displayed that the vehicle was overheated. The dealer diagnosed that cylinder three and six needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10764087, filed 2015-09, 93,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202513%
2024411%
202312%
2022619%
2021820%
2020721%
20191024%
2018510%
20172531%
20168644%
2013218%
2011526%
201018%
2009114%
2008621%
2007411%
2006611%
20052913%
2004286%
200322%

Other parts of the 2008 Volvo XC90

Electrical system
8 complaints
Seat belts
4 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
Electronic stability control
3 complaints
Fuel system
3 complaints
Other or unknown
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Engine cooling
2 complaints
Air bags
1 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints
Seats
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Volvo XC90

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology