Volvo recalls 2004-2009 S60 and S80 models over fault with airbag inflator

Volvo has now had to recall older versions of its S60 and S80 models in Australia as part of a wider worldwide airbag problem affecting almost half a million vehicles.

The local notice affects 1469 vehicles across all variants of the S60 built between 2004 and 2009, as well as S80s made between 2004 and 2005.

According to the Department for Infrastructure, the driver's airbag inflator may rupture if deployed in a crash – propelling metal fragments through the cushion and towards the driver and any passengers, which could cause serious injury or death.

A spokesperson for Volvo Australia confirmed the problem only affects cars from a previous product generation and that no vehicles in its current line-up are involved.

They added that the company's investigations show there is a "low likelihood of the issue happening".

2

Last week WhichCar reported that the Swedish marque was in the process of recalling nearly half a million vehicles worldwide after an airbag fitted on one of its models was attributed to the death of an owner in the United States.

As reported by CNBC, a total of 460,769 units are affected by the recall, with S80s built between 2001-2006 and S60s manufactured between 2001-2009 listed as the two models involved.

According to the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, at least one faulty airbag in a Volvo vehicle has been attributed to the death of an occupant, leading to 259,383 units in the US alone being recalled.

A list of VINs for Australian affected vehicles is available here.

Owners will be contacted by Volvo via letter and asked to contact their preferred local dealer to organise having the defective airbag assembly replaced with a new unit, free of charge.

Dealerships can be found here https://www.volvocars.com/au/dealers/find-dealer or alternatively, Volvo can be called on 1300 787 802 or emailed at: owners.australia@volvocars.com