VEHICLE RECALL: Volvo V70, Volvo XC70 (2001-2007)

AIRBAG RECALL IMPACTING VOLVO V70 & VOLVO XC70 (2001-2007) VEHICLES – 194,546 VEHICLES POTENTIALLY IMPACTED BY THE RECALL

Safety Risk

Volvo Cars USA, LLC (“Volvo”) Recalling Certain 2001-2007 Volvo V70 and Volvo XC70 Vehicles. Driver’s Air Bag Inflator May Explode During Deployment, Due To Propellant Degradation Occurring After Long-Term Exposure To High Absolute Humidity, High Temperatures, And High Temperature Cycling.

In the event of a crash with a driver airbag activation where a rupture occurs the driver might be struck by fragments from the inflator potentially resulting in serious injury or death.  

Defect

When exposed to high temperatures, moisture leaves the tablet and when cooled down is absorbed and accumulated on the tablets surface. This localization of moisture leads to volumetric changes of the tablets surface creating dust over time. Dust increases burn surface area and thereby burn rate. Higher burn rate can result in higher combustion chamber pressure and risk of inflator rupture. Deviation has been identified through component testing at the inflator manufacturer (ZF Group) and analysis of field return parts investigated together with the inflator manufacturer (ZF Group) and NHTSA. Volvo Cars investigations have identified an issue regarding the driver air bag. 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 Cars centrally has received and is aware of one rupture incident. That one rupture incident resulted in a fatality report related to this condition.

Remedy

To remedy the concern vehicles, Volvo Cars will replace the driver air bag at no charge to the customer.

Source: NHTSA.gov

See also “Volvo recalls another 195,000 vehicles for airbags after a death” and “VOLVO V70 AND XC70 AIRBAG RECALL AFTER INFLATOR EXPLODED.”

VEHICLE OWNERS AND LESSEES AFFECTED BY AUTOMOTIVE DEFECTS OR SAFETY RECALLS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT KEHOE LAW FIRM, P.C., [email protected], FOR A FREE, NO-OBLIGATION EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL LEGAL CLAIMS. 

Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.