2008 Volvo V50 Recall: Structure
NHTSA campaign 08V197000 · Structure · filed Apr 28, 2008 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
VOLVO IS RECALLING 7 MY 2008 V50 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ROOF RAILS. BOLTS HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE OUT OF SPECIFICATION. THIS HAS CAUSED LESS TREAD LENGTH ON THE BOLTS WHICH IN TURN HAS LEAD TO INSUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE IN THE JOINT DUE TO THE WASHER GETTING STUCK WHEN TIGHTENING THE BOLTS.
The risk
WHEN CARRYING ROOF CARGO, THE RAILS MAY COME LOOSE DURING HEAVY BRAKING AND/OR SUDDEN STOPS INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
DUE TO THE LIMITED NUMBER OF VEHICLES INVOLVED, OWNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND WILL HAVE THE ROOF RAIL BOLTS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
VOLVO RECALL NO. R196.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
More Volvo V50 recalls
Other campaigns involving Volvo vehicles
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 08V197000 (manufacturer number R196). Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.