36 of the
948 complaints filed about the Volvo XC60
are about the airbag system —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2013.
I was involved in a serious motor vehicle collision involving my Volvo. The collision was essentially a head-on impact that occurred following a medical emergency. The vehicle sustained significant damage in the collision and is essentially totaled. During the crash, all of the vehicle's airbags DID NOT deploy with the exception of the right curtain airbag. I am concerned that the airbags did not deploy during this severe collision and may have failed to function as designed. As a result of the collision, I sustained significant injuries, including a broken tibia (which required surgery) and four fractured vertebrae in my back. I am reporting this incident to Volvo because I am concerned about the performance and deployment of the vehicle's supplemental restraint system, specifically the failure of all of the airbags, including the steering wheel air bag, to deploy during what was essentially a head-on collision. I would like Volvo to investigate the vehicle, including the airbag system, sensors, control module, crash data, and the reason the airbags did not deploy. I would also like the findings of the investigation documented and provided to me.
NHTSA complaint #11758471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle's Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) safety network experienced a total electrical blackout, resulting in complete airbag non-deployment during a severe unibody-deforming hit-and-run collision. The vehicle was stationary when a high-speed car rammed the passenger side and front profile. Kinetic forces split the cast aluminum steering rack housing completely in half, fractured front CV axle joint cages, and shifted the engine subframe mounts (creating physical gaps and shiny mechanical abrasions beneath the rust layer). Despite catastrophic structural distortion—which twisted the greenhouse safety cage and cracked the windshield directly beneath the laser cluster—zero front, side, or curtain airbags deployed. No dashboard SRS warning lights illuminated prior to or after the crash.A post-crash scan by a Master Mechanic confirms high-speed CAN-bus fragmentation, storing module timeouts U016700, U042268, and steering column resistance deployment inhibitors B1C0224, B1CO424, B1C0524. Additional codes include P134600, P134613, P261086, P0A0F68, C006468, B109B15, B116415, and B108467.Teardown reveals extensive, pre-existing saltwater intrusion residue inside passenger footwell fuse blocks (Centers B/C) and the under-hood relay box, plus green cupric carbonate oxidation on chassis grounds. This induced extreme electrical resistance, blinding the SRS module's ability to read the crash pulse. Occupant safety was heavily compromised; the driver sustained a severe concussion, whiplash, and active neurological time-loss blackouts after being struck by flying cabin cargo during the pulse. Both front seatbelt receiver buckles permanently bound and locked. The vehicle was inspected by local police under an active criminal hit-and-run report. Diagnostic logs are preserved and available for federal review.
NHTSA complaint #11755236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, while driving at a slow speed, the brake pedal was depressed while approaching a speed pump and the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and drove at a high rate of speed before crashing into a fence. The contact stated that the vehicle had exceeded 40 MPH. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was damaged; however, no air bags were deployed. The contact was not injured. The Police and EMS were called to the scene, and the driver and front seat passenger were examined. The driver and passenger suffered emotional stress from the crash. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,843.
NHTSA complaint #11746434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The driver's seatbelt buckle interlock stopped working, although engaged, and the auto's system no longer showed whether the seat belt was buckled up or not. This likely would have resulted in the passive restraint system not functioning if there were an accident. There are on-line comments about this same issue in this same model and year. The buckle was replaced at a cost of over $300 by the dealer and the dealer reported that there was a short or break in one of the wires. The vehicle has 87,000 miles at the present time.
NHTSA complaint #11730971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
"During airbag deployment, the driver’s hand was burned with blistering. I believe hot gas or chemicals vented abnormally. This caused a painful injury requiring treatment."
NHTSA complaint #11659242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2016 volvo xc60 t5 has “srs airbag service urgent”. The message came without having any kind of an accident. The dealer says it’s due to electrical wiring or front seat movement.
NHTSA complaint #11610642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hello, thanks for your time. I purchased my Volvo XC60 in late 2020 from my local Volvo Manhattan dealership. The vehicle was certified pre-owned with approximately 28k miles on it, and in excellent condition. Less than three years later, I have encountered a material airbag safety issue with a prohibitively high repair cost. The passenger occupant seat sensor has failed (SRS airbag warning light is now on), which means that the passenger airbag no longer functions. This requires a full seat replacement at an exorbitant cost ($4,000+ including parts and labor). The vehicle only has 48k miles driven. I have a family and find it unacceptable that my vehicle is essentially no longer usable unless I make a very expensive repair. I feel this should be 100% covered by Volvo given the vehicle has <50k miles and it is a material safety issue. Thank you. Best, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11565416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hello, thanks for your time. I purchased my Volvo XC60 in late 2020 from my local Volvo Manhattan dealership. The vehicle was certified pre-owned with approximately 28k miles on it, and in excellent condition. Less than three years later, I have encountered a material airbag safety issue with a prohibitively high repair cost. The passenger occupant seat sensor has failed (SRS airbag warning light is now on), which means that the passenger airbag no longer functions. This requires a full seat replacement at an exorbitant cost ($4,000+ including parts and labor). The vehicle only has 48k miles driven. I have a family and find it unacceptable that my vehicle is essentially no longer usable unless I make a very expensive repair. I feel this should be 100% covered by Volvo given the vehicle has <50k miles and it is a material safety issue. Thank you. Best, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11565416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Water intrusion via a faulty sunroof seal and drain system. Water drains into the vehicle and collects under the flooring carpets and is not detectable. Water then disables and shorts out electrical components and computer modules eventually rendering the vehicle completely inoperable … including airbags, suspension system and electronic engine components. All control is lost. System also displays a number of random and often times confusing and erroneous error message to display console. This is an extremely dangerous problem, and extremely expensive to remedy, and appears to be related to a significant design flaw. According to internet reports, this is a known issue. Dealer is the one who diagnosed the problem. Given this problem affects electronics - there is a threat of fire.
NHTSA complaint #11555338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Airbag fault lamp illuminated. Trouble code U0433 stored in body module (CEM). The problem described is with the closing velocity module, a component of the collision mitigation system. There is a TSB available from Volvo for this code, reference number US25146.1.1. It states a software update must be performed to resolve the error. My complaint is that the airbag system is affected and shows an airbag fault lamp, which prevents passing vehicle inspection in my state. The collision avoidance system can be turned off by the driver. As such, there is no cause for disabling or otherwise negatively affecting the airbag system in the event of a fault. A remedy is not provided free of charge from Volvo, and it should be so as this issue prevents legal operation of the car despite the affected system (collision mitigation) being designed to be turned off by the user.
NHTSA complaint #11541680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Water leakage from top of windsheild due to common failure of sealant (known to Volvo) falls directly into steering wheel airbag and, from there, flows into the seam between airbag module and the steering wheel and collecting behind the airbag subjecting the electrical connections of the airbag to moisture trapped behind the airbag. See photos. No warning lights yet. Vehicle is available for inspection by nhtsa.
NHTSA complaint #11526446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SRS Airbag light came on three times in a month but did not stay on. Took it to Volvo dealership to see what the issue was. According to dealership- there was loose pin tension in the left front door harness. They checked for codes and received SRS B11A081 left side pressure sensor message failures. Followed VIDa fault tracing and found the loose tension in SRS pins in the driver door harness. They had to replace the SRS terminal pins and splice wiring. The dealership did mention that this has happened with 3 or 4 different Volvo models already this year. It sounds like it's a defect in the manufacturing of the SRS system within the doors. However, Volvo warranty will not cover this repair. My primary concern was that the airbag was deactivated this entire time, even when the light was off. Again, the warning only came on for three trips in an entire month. I had assumed it was a software glitch, since when my software needs updating electrical things start to happen (i.e. spacial sensors going off when nothing is around me and I'm parked).
NHTSA complaint #11525373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
It was explained to me that since the Back rear seat in the Volvo XC60 seatbelt had a fault that it alerted the SRS airbag system. In event of a crash the airbags in my car would not deploy and that the only remedy was to replace the entire seatbelt in the Volvo. To prove this point I took my car in to a Volvo dealership and the technicians offered the fix as the only way my cars airbags would work if i got it fixed.
NHTSA complaint #11522879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have had several software/computer issues since purchase. Now the whole control system has failed and all safety functions are dead, in addition to radio, heating/cooling and voice command systems.
NHTSA complaint #11502952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, an SRS service air bag message was displayed. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and was awaiting an appointment with the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11495081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, an SRS service air bag message was displayed. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and was awaiting an appointment with the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11495081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rainwater leaked into front of vehicle and settled in undercarriage causing a short in the passenger side airbag and error message for gear selector. The warning light for the airbag lit up. The vehicle has been inspected by a dealership and the cause of the problem was a clog in the drainage system under the windshied. The clog was redirecting water down into the vehicle and destroyed the main wiring harness. My passenger's safety was at risk because the airbag malfunctioned during driving. Other components could have also shorted out. The ability of the rainwater to drain into the vehicle's electrical components is the result of poor water drainage design and could be remedied easily.
NHTSA complaint #11492401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Side impact curtain air bags only deployed on right side (side of impact), causing head concussion from hitting driverside window on left side. Vehicle has been towed for repair, but may still be available for inspection for a short time. Fire department stated airbags tried but failed deployment. Contacted dealer. Dealer said contact Volvo North America. Volvo has yet to connect me to the right person or department.
NHTSA complaint #11475285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windshield leaks while raining. Mold getting into headliner and the drips affect my visibility. The water intrudes into airbag area and could affect airbag lifespan and efficiency. Can affect electrical safety features in car. Cannot see while driving . Other people all over internet have this issue . Reported it to dealer.
NHTSA complaint #11441245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.