Volvo Recalls 460,000 Cars Over Faulty Airbags

Volvo wants another look at nearly half a million cars that the Swedish automaker says are equipped with airbags that could explode and cause accidents.

If that sounds familiar, it is because some 37 million vehicles from a number of different manufacturers have been recalled in the last year over similar problems with Takata airbags. The defective Volvo airbags were produced by German company ZF Friedrichshafen AG.

“In the event of a crash where the driver airbag is activated, fragments of the inflator inside the airbag may, in certain cases, project out and in worst case strike you, potentially resulting in serious injury or death,” Volvo said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall covers certain 2001-2009 S60s and 2001-2006 S80s. It spans about 460,000 cars around the globe, including some 200,000 in the U.S.

Volvo told NHTSA that airbag inflator propellant tablets may start to decay if exposed to moisture and high temperatures. Those tablets could eventually cause airbag inflators to rupture, sending shards of shrapnel flying inside the vehicles.

Volvo recently became the first auto manufacturer to receive the highest marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety across its entire model lineup. 

But this is not the first time it has had to recall cars because of serious defects that put people’s lives at risk. The company earlier this year called back some 85,000 cars over a fuel pump defect that could cause the vehicles to unexpectedly stall.

How the California Lemon Law Protects Car Owners

Volvo is not the only automaker that has struggled to ensure that its cars are safe to drive. The world’s largest carmakers recall millions of vehicles around the globe each year, citing a wide range of problems that increase the risk of an accident.

The good news is that car owners in California do not need to wait for a recall to get defective and malfunctioning vehicles fixed. The state’s lemon law offers them some important rights and protections.

The Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act requires car manufacturers to perform a variety of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. The law also obligates manufacturers to buy back - or, in some cases, replace - cars that they cannot or will not fix.

Speak with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help. Our firm has a strong track record of successful results for people across the state. 

Our attorneys understand the significant stress that can come with haggling with car dealers and manufacturers. That is why we work aggressively to resolve these cases efficiently and effectively. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.