Side/window Air Bag problems of the 2001 Volvo S60

Two problems related to side/window air bag have been reported for the 2001 Volvo S60. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2001 Volvo S60 based on all problems reported for the 2001 S60.

1 Side/window Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 08/22/2008

My daughter was in a frontal collision with another car (2001 Volvo S60), there were no other passengers. Most of the damage was to the front left of her car; however, only the passenger side airbag deployed. Her speed before breaking was ~50 mph; the car was totaled. Although my daughter was not seriously injured I consider this a safety issue since the velocity was great enough for the passenger side airbag deploy. Additionally, the side curtains did not deploy. Of what value is a malfunction safety device? other than a fault light (which was not lit) how can one be certain an airbag is function properly?.

2 Side/window Air Bag problem

Failure Date: 01/19/2007

My daughter was stopped at a red light and surrounded by cars on a four lane road. All of sudden the passenger side air bags deployed causing my daughter to panic thinking she was on fire due to the smoke and explosion. She exited the car in traffic and called me and the police. Nobody else was in the car at any time and no event inside or outside took place that caused the deployment. Police and Volvo dealer inspected the car and found no evidence that would cause a deployment. Volvo paid to replace all parts and sent sensors to get tested. Test came back indicating there was a definite event that caused deployment. This is why I am reporting this incident , the testing they performed indicating an event took place that caused deployment is contrary to physical evidence collected by police and Volvo dealer and eye witness accounts. Either Volvo's testing is faulty or something worse has happened.


Other Air Bag related problems of the 2001 Volvo S60



Safety Ratings of S60 Cars
Fuel Economy of S60 Vehicles
S60 Service Bulletins
S60 Safety Recalls
S60 Defect Investigations