Select Volvo V70 and XC70 models are being recalled in the United States as their airbag inflators could explode.
The recall involves 194,546 V70 and XC70 models built between the 2001 and 2007 model years, with V70 models produced from January 10, 2000, to September 15, 2007, and XC70 models built between February 22, 2000, and May 4, 2007.
An investigation from Volvo has determined that the airbag inflator propellant tablets can start to decay and form dust particles when subjected to elevated moisture levels and frequent high inflator temperatures. This could prompt the inflator to rupture during the event of a crash, potentially striking the driver with metal fragments.
Read Also: Volvo Recalling 2 Million Older Models Over Seat Belt Issue
Interestingly, these airbag inflators were not manufactured by Takata and instead sourced from ZF.
Documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveal that one person has been killed due to these faulty airbags.
This isn’t the first time that Volvo has issued a recall for select models built in the early 2000s due to faulty airbag inflators. In November 2020, it recalled more than 54,000 S60 and S80 sedans built during the 2001 and 2003 model years with faulty ZD inflators. Initially, this recall was only for vehicles sold in certain “hot and humid” states and territories in the U.S., such as Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Puerto Rico. However, the S60 and S80 recall was expanded to vehicles in all U.S. states earlier this month.
