Volvo has added about 195,000 more vehicles to a recall triggered by exploding inflators. The recall now includes V70 and XC70 wagons from model years 2001 to 2007.
Volvo first issued the recall order in early October. At that point, it included 2001-2006 S80 sedans and 2001-2009 S60 sedans. The recall now affects more than 460,000 cars.
One Death Blamed on This Issue
The vehicles may have airbag inflators that can explode, sending hot shrapnel into the cabin. Airbag inflators are designed to burst in a small, controlled explosion when a collision occurs, releasing gasses that expand rapidly to inflate the airbag. But the propellant used in some can degrade over time, resulting in a larger-than-planned explosion that isn’t safely contained.
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.”
Volvo says that inflators repeatedly exposed to hot and humid temperatures are most at risk.
Owners can bring their Volvo in to any Volvo dealership. Dealers will replace the airbag at no charge. Recall repairs are always free.
Takata Not Involved
This recall is similar to the largest recall in automotive history, in which nearly two dozen automakers recalled tens of millions of cars to replace defective airbag inflators built by the now-defunct company Takata. However, Takata inflators are not involved in Volvo’s current recall campaign.
Automakers try to reach every owner to alert them of a recall, but they rarely reach them all. 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.
