Recall Check: Volvo Recalls 460,000 Older Cars After Airbag Fatality

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Volvo Recall Overview:

• Who: Volvo has recalled more than 460,000 older-model vehicles.
• Why: The propellant used in some of the airbags in the recalled Volvos can degrade over time, resulting in a larger-than-planned explosion that can send shrapnel flying into the cabin of the vehicle.
• Where: The recall is taking place nationwide.

Volvo has recalled more than 460,000 older-model vehicles due to a fault that could see airbags explode, sending hot shrapnel into the cabin. One death has already been reported in relation to the faulty airbags, Volvo said.

The automaker first issued a recall on its 2001-2006 S80 sedans and 2001-2009 S60 sedans earlier this month. That recall has now been expanded to include V70 and XC70 wagons from model years 2001 to 2007.

Volvo Warns Older Sedans May Have Airbag Inflator Defect

Airbag inflators are designed to burst in a small, controlled explosion when a vehicle collision occurs, releasing gasses that expand rapidly to inflate the airbag, Kelley Blue Book reports. However, the propellant used in some can degrade over time, resulting in a larger-than-planned explosion that isn’t safely contained.

“In the event of a crash where the driver airbag is activated, fragments of the inflator inside the air bag may, in certain cases, project out and in worst case strike you, potentially resulting in serious injury or death,” Volvo says in paperwork filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Owners can bring their Volvo into any Volvo dealership, which will replace the airbag at no charge.

The recall is a widening of a similar recall from November 2020, whereby only models in certain hot and humid US states and territories were affected. In that recall, the NHTSA said that humidity and elevated moisture levels could cause the propellant tablets to decay and form dust particles, which could increase the force of the airbag deployment.

This increased force could cause the inflator to rupture, and the driver could be struck by fragments of metal from the inflator.

Volvo is expected to notify owners by mail beginning Nov. 29, 2021. Owners may contact the car manufacturer’s customer service.

Top Class Actions will continue to monitor this and other automaker recalls to help keep consumers informed about important vehicle safety defects. 

Although similar, the recall is not linked to Takata airbags. The now-defunct Takata recalled 67 million of its deadly airbags, meaning nearly two dozen automakers had to recall tens of millions of cars. The recall ended up costing the auto industry billions of dollars.

To see if you qualify to join a vehicle safety defect class action lawsuit investigation click here (links to paid attorney advertisement).

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