Volvo has issued a vehicle defect recall for about 260,000 sedans because of potential airbag defects linked to one recent death. According to Consumer Reports, the recall has been issued because a part in the driver-side airbag might rupture and send metal fragments flying toward occupants if the airbag deploys. It involves S60 sedans from the 2001 through 2009 model years and S80 sedans from the 2001 through 2006 model years.
Dangerous Defects
According to documents filed with the U.S. National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one person has been killed because of these faulty airbags. The agency says humidity and elevated moisture levels can cause the propellant tablets, which inflate the airbag, to deteriorate and form dust particles.
As a result, there is more surface area to burn when ignited, increasing the force of the airbag deployment. This could cause the inflator to rupture, and metal fragments could strike the driver shot out from the inflator. This is the widening of a similar recall from November 2020. In that recall, only models in certain U.S. states and territories were affected by the hot and humid weather conditions in those areas. This new recall covers all S60 and S80 models regardless of where they were sold or registered.
The airbags under recall were made by ZF, an automotive parts supplier now known at ZF-TRW. They are not connected to faulty airbags manufactured by Takata, which led to an unprecedented global recall of tens of millions of vehicles. When the recall begins in November, Volvo will replace the faulty driver’s airbag with new ones that contain a different propellant and inflator at no cost to consumers. Volvo is expected to notify owners by mail beginning Nov. 29. Owners may contact customer service at 1-800-458-1552.
Auto Product Liability Issues
There is no question that the defects that these vehicles are being recalled for are hazardous and can potentially result in significant injuries or even fatalities. Automakers have a responsibility to manufacture vehicles that are safe for consumers. When there are dangerous defects, they are required under the law to issue a timely recall and conduct repairs at no cost to consumers promptly.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective auto, you may be able to seek compensation from the automaker and/or the manufacturer of the defective auto part. Injured victims or families of victims would be well advised to contact an experienced auto defect lawyer to obtain more information about pursuing their legal rights.
Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/volvo-recalls-s60-and-s80-sedans-for-faulty-airbags-a5229237621/
