VolvoXC902008Overview/volvo/xc90/2008/base/

2008 Volvo XC90

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 XC90.

Body SUV

The 2008 Volvo XC90 is an SUV positioned mid-way through a model run that stretches from 2003 to 2015, a period during which owner complaints swung from a peak of 462 in 2004 down to just 3 by 2012. Its engine requires 7.1 quarts of oil meeting either 5W-30 or 10W-30 API viscosity grades, the kind of service specification that frames how researchers and owners approach routine maintenance for the vehicle. In reliability terms, the 2008 model year recorded 29 total owner complaints—led by electrical system issues—and was subject to 3 recalls, placing it well clear of the XC90's early trouble spots but still above the near-spotless low the lineup would later reach. Taken together, these figures position 2008 as a transitional year in the XC90's reliability arc, useful as a benchmark for tracking how the model evolved from its problem-prone early years toward its strongest stretch at the back end of the run.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1275810. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnSTOPOEM · verified
Tire size255-50R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1275810 alt 30750013
Engine air filter30636551 alt 30680293
Fuel filter32242189
Battery30772231 alt 30772211
Front wiper blades32341320
Thermostat30720083 alt 30720315
Cabin air filter30630752 alt 30630754

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height70.1 in
Wheelbase112.6 in
Curb weight4654 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the XC90 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.0–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.00 sec — 2017 T8 Inscription PHEV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2007V8 Sport 4.4L V87.20 sec15.50 sec311 hpAWD
20073.2 3.2L I-69.10 sec17.00 sec235 hpAWD
2006V8 4.4L V87.00 sec15.40 sec311 hpAWD
2005V8 4.4L V87.10 sec15.50 sec311 hpAWD
2003T6 2.9L Twin-Turbo I-68.50 sec16.50 sec268 hpAWD
2003T6 2.9L Twin-Turbo I-68.80 sec16.30 sec268 hpAWD
20143.2 3.2L Turbo I-69.00 sec16.90 sec240 hpAWD
2016T8 Inscription PHEV 2.0L Turbo Supercharger I-4 + Elec 9.2-kWh5.30 sec14.00 sec400 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.1 qt of 5W-30 / 10W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity7.1 qt
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · API · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity7.7 qt
Power Steering FluidSYNTHETIC

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts26 ft-lbs
Main Bearings59 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub26 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)675 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.98 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity6 cylinder engine, single A/C, 1.40; dual A/C 2.20. V8 engine, single A/C, 1.50; dual A/C, 2.30. lbs
Oil TypeVolvo part No. 1161 627-3
Oil Capacity6.08 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number49
Optional BCI Cranking Performance760 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test---- psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief---- psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194 °F
Pressure Test22 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum32 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum55 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket21 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in / 0.0037 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages
160
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
19 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15 ft. lbs., Step 3: 909 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9089 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
145 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
3180 degrees.180 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6033 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
133 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5033 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 75,000 mi.

Every 7,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Final Drive (inspect fluid level) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Underbody (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 37,500 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 60,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDriveshaft (inspect)
Every 75,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Volvo XC90 sits in a favorable position within the generation’s reliability arc. Complaints peaked sharply at 462 for the 2004 model year, then declined steadily to 53 by 2006 and just 29 for 2008, signaling that many early teething issues were resolved. Recalls also dropped from a high of 6 in 2004–2005 to 3 for 2008, a moderate number that aligns with the generation’s later, more stable years. The 2008 model’s top complaint areas—electrical system and powertrain—each drew only 4 reports, and the single crash and fire complaints do not indicate a systemic problem based on the available data. With zero investigations and a TSB count consistent with the generation’s average, the 2008 XC90 represents a mature point in the model’s lifecycle. This is a good year to buy, as it avoids the early peak in complaints and recalls while offering proven reliability.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
215
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
29
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 29 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System4
Power Train4
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Seat Belts2
Engine & Engine Cooling2
Electrical System,Seat Belts,Engine1
Exterior Lighting,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Electrical System,Seat Belts,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10V566000Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System)Reported 08/11/2010

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT. 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…

08V206000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 06/05/2008

VOLVO IS RECALLING 102 MY 2008 XC90 AND S80 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INCORRECT BOLTS TO THE ENGINE MOUNT. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS FOR SPECIFIC MARKINGS. IF ANY OF THE BOLTS CONTAIN THE INCORRECT MARKINGS, THE BRACKET AND BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OWNERS HAVE BEEN…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 215 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
35526.1.82026-04-23EngineThis is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform…
37809.1.12026-04-07Unknown Or OtherThis is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to…
192452025-12-06Unknown Or OtherThis is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.
85012025-04-10Exterior LightingThis is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a…
S103032025-02-21Unknown Or OtherVolvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific XC90. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 XC90 take?

7.1 qt of BELOW 86 degrees F: 5W-30 API, -4 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 XC90 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.