Don't you hate it when over 60 years of meticulous honing of a brand image literally blows up in your face? Or someone's face, anyway, because according to Consumer Reports, Volvo has had to recall a large number of 2001 - 2003 S60 and S80 sedans due to just such an airbag flaw that's exacerbated in hot, humid climates.
If the subject of airbag recalls causes the name Takata to enter your head, think again. Because while the problem is nearly identical, these units were built by ZF. According to a bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this recall affects about 54,124 vehicles. That is quite small compared to the nearly 63 million airbags recalled by Takata.
Much like the Takata bags, the specific part in question is the inflator of the driver's side airbag, which when exposed to heat and humidity can rupture, launching metal fragments throughout the passenger compartment. The flaw has reportedly been linked to one fatality, which Volvo was made aware of as early as June 2019.
The Safety Brand has had other Other Safety Recalls
It is another blow to the company that was so dedicated to safety it forsook potentially trillions of dollars by not patenting the seat belt, so as to encourage other manufacturers to incorporate them. Ironically, it was the lack of driver and passenger seatbelt use that led to the development and mandated adoption of the personal detonation devices commonly known as airbags. Ironically, safety belt usage increased significantly about the same time airbags installation was becoming widespread.
While Volvo definitely has equity in its safe car reputation, there have been chinks in the armor, thanks some other recent recalls that involve rather fundamental safety components such as seatbelts and brakes,
How To Find Out If You're Covered By The Recall
Concerned owners of S60 and S80 sedans potentially covered by the recall can enter their VIN number into the NHTSA's website to find out whether their vehicle is affected by the flaw—the recall will be regionally specific, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Sources: consumerreports.org and nhtsa.gov.