Volvo scrutinising potential XC90 airbag fault

VOLVO’S $4 billion baby, the XC90 large SUV, will be recalled to repair an issue with its full-length curtain airbags.

Reports from the United States suggest the company has discovered a trim panel next to the third row of seats might impede the deployment of the airbag.

In a letter sent out to all US and Canadian Volvo dealers, Volvo's North American manager for warranty, product safety, and compliance, Jason Guidi, said that "Volvo has identified that the inflatable curtain (IC) may not inflate as intended for third-row passengers.

“In the event of a crash, the interior panel on the D-pillar(s) may obstruct the IC from inflating fully. If this would occur, the third row passengers may have less protection from the IC.” While North American sales haven't been halted, vehicles in dealer yards have been quarantined until a fix can be implemented.

Locally, the XC90 officially went on sale on Monday, with stock expected in dealerships from this weekend. No cars have been delivered to Australian customers Volvo said it was holding 140 orders for the car, with a further 400 customers awaiting test drives.

Volvo Australia was unavailable to comment at the time of publishing, but it is unlikely that any XC90s will be delivered to Australian customers before a full fix has been formulated and carried out on affected vehicles.

The local range starts with the $89,950 (before on-road costs) Momentum, before moving up through the mid-grade Inscription and up to the top end R-Design. The latter will join the range late in 2015.

Earlier in the year, Volvo Cars of North America recalled some 2000 XC90s built between January and May to rectify a fault in its wiring loom that could have disabled the front seat side-impact airbags.