Volvo is recalling more than 250,000 cars in North America because they may contain driver’s side airbag inflators that could explode and send hot metal fragments into the cabin during an accident.
In paperwork filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Volvo says it is aware of one accident that “resulted in a fatality report related to this condition.”
The recall affects 2001-2006 S80 sedans and 2001-2009 S60 sedans. Their airbag inflators use a propellant that can degrade when exposed to repeated temperature and humidity changes. The company says that inflators repeatedly exposed to hot and humid temperatures “are at highest risk” of rupture.
Dealers will replace the driver airbag at no charge. Recall repairs are always free.
This recall is similar to the largest recall in automotive history, in which dozens of automakers recalled tens of millions of cars worldwide to replace dangerous airbag inflators made by the now-defunct company Takata. Volvo’s recalled inflators, however, were not built by Takata.
Automakers try to reach every owner with news of a recall, but they don’t always succeed. That leaves millions of us driving cars with safety defects we don’t know about. Find out if your vehicle is eligible for any free safety repairs at our recall center.
