Airbag complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The recall notice was issued on December 14, 2021. No area Volvo dealer has the parts to repair or replace the air bag. I have been told I am on a "waiting list" A reasonable amount of time has elapsed to repair my vehicle. Volvo Car, USA. Volvo Car, USA by email advised me to contact another local dealer in my area on March 12, 2022: "Thank you for your patience while your case was open. I apologize for any inconvenience. if your servicing dealer does not have the parts to complete the repairs for your vehicle. You have the option of making an appointment with the other dealers in your area. Our search has shown that Herzog-Meier Volvo Cars is a feasible option for you. Please find their information listed below." Herzog-Meier Volvo Cars advised me to call my own dealer, Jim Fisher Volvo since they did not have the parts to repair or replace my air bag. …
I have been requesting the recall service of my vehicle since November 2020. I was first told by the dealership they were delayed in getting the replacement airbag but should in January. Called in January and they still didn't have them and after asking I was put on a list and told they would contact me. I checked back in August 2021 and was told I was still on the list. I have not been contacted by the dealership since that time and my recall is still not repaired. The nearest dealership is in the next state 2.5 hours away. I just want this completed as I've been potentially driving a dangerous (to me) vehicle for over 2 years now.
We purchased a 2005 Volvo V70 new. We have taken the car back to the dealer 3 times because the passanger airbag deactivates when an adult in the seat seems to move around . The first time the dealear recalibrated the computer. The second time they changed the seat. The third time they had a field rep drive the car with an adult in the seat, while the light did come on the rep said that it was operating normal. I would like to find out if this is normal and if it is to raise a concern for the safety of the pasanger.
I have recevievide from Volvo called the number and said they cannot say it was free.I called the number [phone] said could promise I had to talk to the manager at the dealer. I asked them if found other problems with steering that I would have to pay if they tear into steering comlun. You guys need to fix this now. I want to make sure Im cover here . EWhat am suppose to do if they break my steering down and ask me to pay for other problmems with the car it doesnot state that on the recall letter. What kind of airbag do they put in to the car I ant to its preminum airbags that are put in high in vehicles here. I want to know if I get protected documentation from this recall. Also do I get the old airbag back so i can seek legal consel as well. It just says free it should state that im protected from labor and parts costs as well.
When we first purchased the car we drove it for about a week before it started surging forward and stalling a lot. My fianc and I would have to pull over, park the car, have to turn the key three times before starting. Would have to repeat process every 5 minutes. So we took it to paramount Volvo of hickory, ended up taking it there for service. Dropped it off with a max full tank of gas as well, along with personal items we left in the car. It takes then about 4 or 5 days before calling us back with diagnostics, so we end up paying almost 1,600$ to get the timing chain replaced, new hoses put on, fuel pump replacement, and the fuel injectors. We pick it up, and our gas is almost on empty....and a few items were missing out of our vehicle as well. I know they have to test drive it after servicing the vehicle, it seemed like they took it on a joy ride all over hickory. …
I live 5 hours from the closest Volvo dealership so I called to see if they could send me the the air bag that has been recalled. The airbag is very easy to be replaced in less then 10 minutes. Because of this it is absolutely absurd for me to travel for ten hours to get something done that I can do myself in 10 minutes. They said I can buy the airbag and they could send it. But this being a recall is'nt it their responsibility to fix it in any way possible. I just feel like this is wrong that they are doing this and am addressing it in this compliant.
The contact owns a 2003 Volvo V70. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V800000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact called the local dealer who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2002 Volvo XC70. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V800000 (Air Bags) however, there were no dealers nearby to her for service. The nearest dealer that was 275 miles away from her location had been notified about the issue and informed her that they could not provide transportation or towing services. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue but offered no assistance. The contact stated that the responsibility of the repair should be on the manufacturer and that arrangements should be made to service the vehicle. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Related recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2007 V70 and XC70 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 s80, xc70, model year 2011 xc60 and model year 2010 v70 vehicles. There May be an intermittent fault in the driver's airbag clockspring wiring connector for the supplemental restraint system.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The frontal passenger air bag May be overly sensitive to certain electrostatic discharge.
Remedy: Dealers will install an additional ground wire in the passenger side to assure sufficient grounding.
NHTSA investigations
Inadvertent side air bag deployment
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo V70 years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (10), 2000 (7), 2002 (7), 2001 (6) and 1999 (5) model years. Airbag complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Volvo V70 airbag problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 21V-800 (inflator module, Oct 14, 2021); 10V-489 (frontal, Oct 13, 2010); 99V-236 (frontal, Aug 30, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volvo V70 airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles; 29% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (14 mentions), followed by the side/window (2).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.