Volvo recalls new XC90 over airbag design flaw
Estimated 10,000 2015 XC90s recalled over fears third-row airbag won't deploy properly, no figures for UK as yet
Volvo's recently launched XC90 SUV has hit a bit of stumbling block, as the company has confirmed it will be recalling examples due to an airbag design flaw. Estimates put the number of cars affected at up to 10,000, although UK bosses are still working out how many will be recalled.
The XC90 has only been on sale for a few months, so its likely that all models sold so far will be affected by the announcement. Volvo's corporate spokesman Stefan Elfstrom confirmed to Swedish media that the recall is due to a defective panel design on a third-row airbag, stating “We need to modify this panel so it’s not in the way,”.
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Volvo was quick to state that the airbag itself is not faulty, rather it's the removeable panel that covers it that may obstruct deployment. A UK spokesperson stressed that there is "no issue in terms of safety". The recall is also completely separate from the infamous Takata airbag scandal, which has seen millions of cars globally taken in for safety repairs.
As well as recalling cars that have already been sold, Volvo will check and fix any undelivered cars that may have the same fault. Consequently, delivery times for any new customers awaiting their XC90s are likely to be extended. The problem can be rectified free of charge at a dealer, and Volvo UK will begin contacting individual customers soon.
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