In the European service world, Volvo airbag failures land on our lifts with regularity. 53 complaints across 13 year-model entries (2005–2013) is consistent with what we move in parts orders. The pattern repeats across model years, which usually points to a shared component supplier rather than a single bad production batch. 17 injury reports on the record — not a category to wave off. Independent-shop repair on this category runs around $1,100; dealer pricing tends to run thirty to forty percent higher on European brands. Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup before you buy. Takata-era inflators are still being recalled. The dealer fixes them free.
ProblemsByVin VOLVO / AIRBAGS
13 model-year entries · 2005–2013
Volvo airbags problems
53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Volvo vehicles for airbags issues. 3 active recall campaigns. See airbags across all makes →
Complaints
53
Recalls
3
Year-models
13
Avg fix
$1,100
13crashes
2fires
17injuries
Worst-affected Volvo model-years for airbags Top 13 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
2013 Volvo S60
7 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 severe
2013 Volvo XC60
6 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2006 Volvo S60
6 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2012 Volvo S60
5 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2006 Volvo V70
4 complaints · ~$1,100 moderate
2005 Volvo S40
4 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2013 Volvo XC90
3 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2010 Volvo S80
3 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2008 Volvo XC70
3 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 moderate
2007 Volvo S60
3 complaints · ~$1,100 severe
2007 Volvo XC70
3 complaints · 1 recall · ~$1,100 moderate
2006 Volvo S40
3 complaints · ~$1,100 moderate
2005 Volvo V70
3 complaints · ~$1,100 moderate
Active recalls — Volvo airbags 12 on file
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2006 S80 and 2001-2009 S60 vehicles
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10125.
Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2007 V70 and XC70 vehicles
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10136.
In certain vehicles, two software errors have been found in the supplemental restraint system (SRS) control unit software
Late deploymentof the ic and sips air bags in certain side impact crash situations could increase the risk of injury to the vehicle occupant.
Fix: Dealers will perform a software upgrade of the SRS control unit. The recall began on october 31, 2007. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2017 S60 and S60 Cross Country, V60 and V60 Cross Country, and XC60 vehicles manufactured August 16, 2016, through October 21, 2016
If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front seat side air bags, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89712.
Volvo Car USA, LLC
An air bag that does not deploy properly in a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts securing the passenger air bag, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 5, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10254.
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Volvo C40 vehicles
An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's side inner FSAB, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10296.
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017 XC90, S90, and V90 Cross Country vehicles
If the IC air bags do not deploy properly in the event of a crash, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 1, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89714.
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 s80, xc70, model year 2011 xc60 and model year 2010 v70 vehicles
In the event of a crash, the driver's frontal airbag may not deploy as intended or at all, and therefore will not be able to properly protect the driver, increasing the risk of injuries.
Fix: Dealers will install a metal shim in the driver's air bag clockspring wiring connector. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 20, 2010. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2010 xc60 vehicles
If the curtain air bag does not perform as intended in the event of a vehicle crash necessitating deployment of that air bag, it may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of injuries.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the left and right curtain air bag assembly and adjust if necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on december 9, 2010. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552 or at customercare@volvoforlife.com.
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles
If the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable side curtain deploy without cause, the driver could be distracted and the driver's visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: These vehicles have not been sold and the SRS control unit will be replaced prior to the cars being sold. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles
A detached SRS control unit can decrease the performance of occupant protection systems such as air bags, seat belts, and high voltage battery disconnect, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the SRS control unit mounting screws, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10068.
Volvo Cars of N
Underinflated air bags may not fully protect third row occupants, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will modify the D-pillar interior panels to allow full inflation of the third row airbags, free of charge. The recall began on September 21, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo Customer Care at 1-800-458-1552.
Common questions
How many Volvo airbags complaints are on file with NHTSA?
53 complaints across 13 model-year entries from 2005 to 2013. 3 active recall campaigns cover airbags issues across the Volvo lineup.
Which Volvo model has the most airbags complaints?
The 2013 Volvo S60 leads with 7 complaints in this category. Next: 2013 XC60 (6) and 2006 S60 (6).
What does it cost to fix Volvo airbags problems?
Independent shops average $1,100 for airbags repairs across the Volvo lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Volvo airbags recalls?
Yes — 12 active recall campaigns cover airbags on Volvo vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Frank DeSantis, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Volvo.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.