VolvoXC702008Overview/volvo/xc70/2008/base/

2008 Volvo XC70

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 XC70.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

Defined as a passenger car, the 2008 XC70 pairs an Automatic (S6) transmission with an EPA fuel economy rating of 15/22/17 mpg and requires 7.8 quarts of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 API oil. Ownership data for this model year indicates 8 recalls and 39 total owner complaints, with the Fuel System, Gasoline area identified as the top complaint category. Situated within a 2001-2016 model history ranging from a high of 106 complaints in 2004 to a low of 2 in 2014, the data positions the 2008 variant between the generation's extremes, recording fewer issues than the peak year while exceeding the model's lowest complaint count.

Model year201620152014201320122011201020092008

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity7.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/22/17 mpgEPA · 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 30750013. 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
Tire size215-65R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter30750013
Engine air filter30745344
Battery30772221 alt 30772236
Front wiper blades32341318
Thermostat30650891 alt 31355151
Cabin air filter31449209 alt 31390880

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.6 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height63 in
Wheelbase111 in
Curb weight4169 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 61 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 22 / 17 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent road tests for the XC70 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.90 sec — 2008 3.2
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20083.2 3.2L I-68.90 sec16.70 sec235 hpAWD
2009T6 Premium 3.0L Turbo I-66.60 sec15.10 sec281 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 7.8 qt of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. 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 Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · API · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity7.8 qt
Power Steering FluidSYNTHETIC

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
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.98 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.40 lbs
Oil TypeVolvo part No. 8708581-7.
Oil Capacity2.37 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number92
Optional BCI Cranking Performance700 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum32 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum55 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs / 21 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle81 ft-lbs / 148 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.001 in / 0.0008 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.472 in / 0.433 in / 0.866 in / 1.102 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.472 in / 0.433 in / 0.866 in / 1.102 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.421 in / 0.381 in / 0.814 in / 1.043 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.393 in / 0.354 in / 0.787 in / 1.023 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
19 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15 ft. lbs., Step 3: 909 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
145 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
3180 degrees.180 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 miEngine 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 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 XC70 marks a notable spike in the generation’s federal record, with 39 complaints and 8 recalls—both the highest figures since 2004 and a clear outlier compared to the surrounding years. Complaints in 2007 and 2009 dropped sharply to 25 and 15, respectively, while recalls also declined after 2008, suggesting the target year absorbed a concentrated wave of issues, particularly in the fuel system (8 complaints) and engine (4). The absence of investigations across the generation implies no systemic defects were formally pursued, but the 2008 data’s volume of recalls and technical service bulletins (237) indicates heightened corrective actions were necessary. Compared to the preceding and following years, the 2008 XC70 sits at the peak of this quality-control arc, with later models showing steady improvement in reliability metrics. The concrete takeaway: while the 2008 XC70’s federal record reflects a year of elevated issues, a well-documented example with thorough recall completions and TSB adherence could mitigate risks—making it a viable buy *only* if service history confirms all corrective actions were taken.

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
237
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
39
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 39 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline8
Engine4
Air Bags3
Visibility2
Service Brakes2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Structure,Visibility/Wiper1
Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V378000Seat Belts:FrontReported 30/06/2020

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross… Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service…

08V032000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 28/01/2008

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR INTEGRATED BOOSTER SEATS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE LABELING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 213, "CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS." LABELS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LABEL WITH THE CORRECT WARNING INFORMATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 237 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 XC70. 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 XC70 take?

7.8 qt of BELOW 104 degrees F,: 0W-30 OR 0W-40 API SL, -22 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 5W-30 API SL, -13 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 5W-40 API SL, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 XC70 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the XC70 get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 22 highway / 17 combined mpg.