Recall Alert: Volvo Faulty Passenger Seat Belts
Volvo was one of many brands hit with a recall recently. Seat belt supplier Autoliv could be to blame.
Written by Ru Chen
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
In September 2021 Volvo recalled seven models because of seat belt concerns. More than 19,000 vehicles were affected. It is definitely concerning to have a
safety recall
on a car you own. This one is related to child car seat safety. However, recalls are more common than you might imagine, and it is important to follow recall alerts when necessary.
Volvo recalls vehicles over problematic seat belt
These cars are equipped with passenger seat belt retractors that are potentially faulty. The problem with that is it could make it difficult for people to install a child car seat into their vehicle securely.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that the affected vehicles are all from the 2021 and 2022 model years.
Basically, there is a problem going around with a car component that’s called the automatic locking retractor (ALR). It locks a seat belt for a snug car seat installation. With a faulty ALR, it will be harder to keep child car seats in place securely.
If a child car seat isn’t properly positioned and a car crash occurs, the child could be in serious risk for injuries.
This isn’t the only safety recall surrounding car seat belts recently. The faulty ALR parts all come from the same supplier, Autoliv.
Models from Audi, BMW, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, and other brands were also affected by this faulty belt concern.
Volvo vehicles recalled:
- 2021 Volvo XC40 and XC40 Recharge
- 2021-2022 Volvo V60
- 2021 V60 CC
- 2021-2022 Volvo XC60
- 2021-2022 Volvo S60
- 2021 Volvo V90 and V90 CC
- 2021 Volvo XC90
The problem: The seat belt mechanism called the automatic locking retractor (ALR) may not engage properly, preventing secure installation of car seats.
The solution: The fix is free. Volvo dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies as necessary.
Contact the manufacturer: Volvo has already notified owners. But if you have one of these models and were not contacted, wners may also call customer service at 800-458-1552.
NHTSA campaign number: 21V682; Volvo’s internal number is R10111.
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What to do if your car is recalled
Every year we see plenty of recall-related fears. It can be unsettling for your vehicle to be included in a recall due to production issues completely out of your control.
The good news is that a recall means the identified problem will be fixed for you at no cost by your dealer. In case they refuse to do so, you can file a complaint with the manufacturer and usually get it sorted quickly.
Ultimately, recalls are fairly common as NHTSA wants to make sure drivers are as safe as possible. Keep an eye out for more recall alerts to stay up-to-date.
How to check if your vehicle has been included in a recall
The website for
NHTSA
allows you to type in your unique 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN). If your vehicle is in any open recall, the search results will let you know.
There are cases where they may not show the recall:
- The recall is 15+ years old
- It’s for an international vehicle
- It’s for an ultra-luxury brand/specialty applications
- Very recently announced recalls
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