Volvo recalls 50,000 2001-2003 cars in the US for Airbag

[oragex]

We have already topics on this subject on the US forums, so here's the problem explained. In few words, in specific high humidity and high temperature conditions, the airbag deployment substance may be altered over the years and cause a stronger explosion during the airbag deployment, causing potential injury or death. It's a problem very similar to the Takata recall. For now, the recall is only affecting some North American states https://www.reuters.com/article/us-v...-idUSKBN27N0I0

[shimon340]

Looks like a larger number of vehicles now and includes 2001-2006 S60s and 2000-2009 S80s

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/05/volv...-fatality.html

A fatal crash that also saw evidence of the airbag inflator also disintegrated.

Compared to how many other car companies choose to behave two things impress me about Volvo's actions here. After evidence from 1 car, all are being recalled to have the airbag replaced and secondly the number of 15-20 year old cars still in use

[Brendan W]

About fifteen years ago I recall discussion about the appearance of statements in owners manuals about a ten year life for bags and pre-tensioners.
Most ten year old cars would not be worth the cost. In any event the issue seemed to subside but you would wonder about the kinds of discussions that were had between the chemical stability people and the bean counters.

[Familyman 90]

Bear in mind that American airbags tend to be bigger as seatbelt wearing is still far from the norm over there, so unlikely ever affect us.

Volvo tend to be very quick to recall, particularly with safety related items, and will do so at levels of concern and numbers of affected vehicles that most other manufacturers wouldn't raise an eyebrow at, so they are to be applauded to such prompt and wide ranging action.