Swedish engineer Nils Bohlin came up with the three-point seat belt in the 1950s, and Volvo proceeded to introduce the life-saving contraption as standard equipment in '59. The automaker gave away the patent to anyone interested, and the rest – as some may say - is history.
According to Volvo, the front seat belts in 2.2 million vehicles feature a fastening cable that may wear out over time “and lead to a reduced function of the restraint.” This, in turn, increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash, and Volvo classifies this as a “preventive recall.”
2.2 million cars and SUVs from the 2006 and 2019 model years translate to round about 4.4 million steel cables that need to be replaced. Obviously, this campaign will take its toll on the automaker’s financial results for the upcoming quarter. Curiously, Volvo hasn’t made the name of the supplier public nor has it offered more detailed information.
What we do know is that “none of the currently produced cars are affected.” Thankfully, no reports of accidents or injuries related to the condition described earlier have been reported so far.
The models in need of new steel cables for the front seat belts are old S60 sedans - including the S60L for the Chinese market and S60 Inscription - as well as the S60 CC, V60, V60 CC, XC60, V70, XC70, S80, and the S80L. Approximately 412,000 units are being called back in Sweden, 170,000 cars and SUVs in the United Kingdom, and close to 308,000 vehicles in the United States of America.
As we wait for the dealers to receive the replacement parts, customers can inspect the cable themselves by taking a look into the rubber sleeves on the outside of the front seats. According to Volvo UK's communications team, all 169,481 vehicles affected there are expected to be fixed by year’s end at no cost to the owners.
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