2008 Volvo S40 Volvo S40 2008

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

2008 Volvo S40 repairs by problem area

Engine (9%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)

Brakes and Traction Control (6%)

Suspension and Steering (23%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (49%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (6%)

Other (3%)

Chart based on 35 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2008 Volvo S40.

2008 Volvo S40 repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (17%)

$500 - $999 (43%)

$100 - $499 (17%)

< $100 (23%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 30 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2008 Volvo S40

Engine not specified

Volvo S40 in Great Britain
Feb 2011 - Mar 2011
Mar 2011

40000 mi

£500
No aircon and  headlights kept blowing. 
Volvo S40 in Great Britain
Feb 2011 - Mar 2011
Mar 2011

70000 mi
Intermittent non-starting. Had to insist the RAC towed to garage eventually so that fault was present on investigation. Fault recurred 4 times over 6 months. Garage said it was throttle valve assembly, which was replaced. 

Return to top

2008 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 227hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Volvo S40 in South Carolina, United States
Jun 2011 - Jan 2012
Sep 2011

75000 mi

US $310
Tech noticed the front drivers strut leaking while the car was in for 75k oil service. Had to have strut replaced, which seemed reasonable for the miles.  

Return to top

2008 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 227hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Volvo S40 in West Virginia, United States
Mar 2011 - Jul 2018
Apr 2012

63000 mi

US $130
Rattle in front dash and windshield washer 
Aug 2012

70100 mi

US $675
Cracked Head light lense, Insurence paid for lense replacment. But bulb went out the next week and that was not covered and cost $425.00 
May 2013

86100 mi

US $255
ABS sensor needed cleaned 
Jul 2014

101500 mi

US $650
xenon headlight out + replaced broken side marker light 
Mar 2015

109000 mi

US $875
Replaced Passenger front drive axle & Hub 
Oct 2015

123300 mi

US $650
Replaced original alternator 
Apr 2017

156000 mi

US $695
Rear break calapier went bad 
May 2017

156000 mi

US $1050
AC compressor replacment 
Sep 2017

159000 mi

US $1150
Head light lens cracked. I do not believe it was hit with anythink looked like a vertical stress crack. Middle stop light in the window out. Required special ordering of part and a full day in the shop, they had never changed one before. 
Jul 2018

149000 mi

US $549
Starter went out, Volvo shipped incorrect replacement had to wait and additional week for second replacement 
Volvo S40 in Florida, United States
Apr 2011 - Feb 2015
Apr 2012

39000 mi
The screen readout said I had a problem with an immobilizer and needed to go to shop. Shop said it was only a battery problem and they replaced the battery under warranty. 
Jan 2015

54100 mi

US $700
Car was stalling and a/c kept shutting off 

Return to top

2008 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 109hp 1.6L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD

Volvo S40 in Portugal
Jul 2011 - Mar 2016
Aug 2011

48360 mi
Windows working badly, glass was diconnected from one side. 
Oct 2012

66320 mi

€40
No cold air. 
Apr 2013

74400 mi

€300
A/C condenser ruptured, a replacement was needed. Volvo payed for a part of the service. 

Return to top

2008 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Volvo S40 in Minnesota, United States
Dec 2013 - Sep 2018
Feb 2017

145000 mi

US $40
Was having trouble shifting from Park to Drive, etc.. The shifter blind was cracked, and the pieces were causing the trouble. Took a lot of digging to figure out how to get to all the Torx screws to disassemble the center console, "wave" and so forth, but aside from that, pretty easy. 
Feb 2018

165 mi

US $800
Bad suspension 
Volvo S40 in Colorado, United States
Apr 2013 - Jan 2014
Jun 2013

81000 mi
Tires wearing quickly and unevenly on inside of all tires, front struts completely gone, front-end alignment needed. 
Aug 2013

84000 mi

US $185
Windscreen fluid hose came unbolted to inside, broke washer on top. 
Volvo S40 in Florida, United States
Apr 2011 - Jun 2018
Aug 2016

34300 mi

US $1100
Condensor 
Volvo S40 in Hawaii, United States
Dec 2012 - Jun 2018
Jan 2013 Repeatable rubbing noise when turning steering wheel in either direction. 
Jun 2013

53000 mi

US $1100
Strut bearing was making rubbing noise at low speed including parking. Required removal of strut/spring assembly. Replaced struts since everything was apart. Dealer had no clue. 
Oct 2013

58200 mi

US $600
Check Engine Light was going on/off. CAN-OBD2 scanner indicated P00089 - Fuel Pressure Regulator Performance. Expected cause was faulty fuel injection pressure sensor - common problem on S40s. Shop updated software with Volvo download. 
May 2014

60300 mi

US $900
Check engine light on with trouble codes. AC also stopped working at same time. Difficult for shop to troubleshoot. Suspected leak detection pump or ECM. Problem was a shorted sensor in oil pan. 
Jul 2015

70000 mi

US $750
Replaced alarm/siren module and main car battery, due to failure in our 2011 Volvo S40, which irreparably damaged the main battery. Main car battery was less than 2 years old and replacement cost was $225. 
Apr 2017

75000 mi

US $1100
Typical problem with Volvo S40 AC compressors. Clutch on AC compressor was not engaging during warm weather due to inability of electromagnet to close the gap. Problem has been solved by others by removing the clutch (using special or self-made tools) and closing the gap by changing or removing shims. Others have used used "bread clips" or thin metal sheets on the outside of the clutch. Decided to ask the Volvo expert mechanic just replace the entire compressor on the 2008 (and identical problem on the 2011 S40). Compressor part was $740. Only charged couple hours of labor and had him change the serpentine belt while he was working on it. Solved the problem so hopefully another 75000 miles of AC. 
May 2018

80000 mi

US $700
Replaced non-adjustable rear upper control links with adjustable versions. Allowed camber adjustment as the left rear wheel camber was out of specification. Rubber bushing on the sway bar end links was gone - shop tech noticed this when I brought the car in for annual wheel alignment. 

Return to top

2007.5 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan

168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed manual FWD

Volvo S40 in Estonia
- Jul 2010
Nov 2009

21080 mi

€2500
new ABS pump + ECU 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans
See TrueDelta's information for all Volvo models.

2008 Volvo S40 Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2008 Volvo S40 problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.