Skip to main content

Article Highlights for the Volvo recall:

  • Volvo is recalling 460,769 cars globally over a potential airbag issue
  • According to the NHTSA, older model Volvo S60 and Volvo S80 vehicles are impacted
  • The NNHTSA recall number is: 21V-766, the Volvo recall number is R10125

Volvo has issued a significant recall today for 460,769 globally over an issue with the airbags. There are two older model vehicles impacted in the recall, produced between May 2000 and March 2009.

What is the Volvo recall for?

Recall Alert: Volvo recalls 460,769 cars including the Volvo S60 and Volvo S80
Recall Alert: Volvo recalls 460,769 cars, including the Volvo S60 and Volvo S80 | National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images

Volvo says there are 460,769 older model vehicles impacted worldwide. CNBC reports that there is a problem with the airbag system when it deploys. When the airbag activates due to a crash, metal fragments of the inflator could potentially project out onto the driver and passengers of the vehicle.

Depending on the crash, such projectiles could result in injury or death. According to the paperwork filed by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Volvo filed the report on Sep. 30. The impacted Volvo makes and models are 2001-2009 Volvo S60 and 2001-2006 Volvo S80. The subject of the recall is titled “Driver’s Air Bag Inflator May Explode.”

More information on the Volvo recall

The NHTSA campaign number is 21V-766. Owners can call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236. Volvo included 259,383 vehicles in the U.S. in the recall, while the rest are outside of the country. At this point, Volvo is aware of one fatality related to the issue. The problem description of the recall notes that the inflator could explode due to deployment after certain periods of time. The explosion could happen due to “propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high-temperature cycling.”

It sounds like the older model vehicles are particularly prone to this issue due to how old the cars are. Volvo has not yet indicated if it will expand the recall later or if it will be limited to just these two Volvo S80 and Volvo S60 vehicles. The announcement notes Volvo produced no other cars with these specific airbag components in the U.S.

Volvo plans to replace the driver’s airbag for free. The recall notices should go out on Nov. 29, 2021. In addition to that, owners can call Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. The recall number from Volvo is R10125.

It’s possible more information will come out soon

The recall sounds particularly important to those living in certain climates with moisture, humidity, and high temperatures. German parts maker ZF Friedrichshafen AG, provided the airbag parts while Autoliv Inc. supplied the airbag assembly. This recall is similar to the Takata airbag recall that has plagued millions of vehicles around the world.

More information will be available as Volvo provides updates. Volvo has not released an estimated cost to replace the airbags yet.

Related

The 2019 Volvo S60 Is a “Road Warrior,” According To MotorTrend

Best in News
Avatar photo
Staff Writer

Amanda Cline

Amanda Cline is an avid fan of Formula 1 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2021. A Southwest Floridian, she easily and often finds automotive events to attend in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Technical Communication. Combining her editorial and digital media expertise, Amanda served as a content creator for FanSided and now provides our readers with a variety of automotive subject matter like pickup trucks and SUVs, including valuable consumer advice.

Amanda closely follows many F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Her all-time favorite author is Shel Silverstein.