News and Information for the vehicle recycling industry

Used World Parts Lead
    • News from previous months

    • Archives

  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • NEWSLETTER
  • INDIA WEBINAR
  • CANADA WEBINAR
Used World Parts Top

Airbag Recalls Continue to Make News

Is the New Volvo recall part of the Recall Bounty Program? Paul D’Adamo (the ‘Recall Guy’) provides his view on the recent vehicle recall after an airbag defect was discovered in some Volvo models.

 

Airbag Recalls Continue to Make News feat four
Paul D’Adamo

You have probably seen the recent headlines regarding the new Volvo airbag recall. The Volvo recall announced in November pertains to airbags that could rupture, spewing metal fragments into the passenger compartment. As with Takata airbags, the propellent degrades over time when exposed to high temperatures and humidity. The most recent article attributes the recall to a fatality in 2019. The specific Models are the S60 (manufactured between July 13, 2000 and March 7, 2003) and S80 (manufactured May 2000 and March 2013). The Volvo recall only affects the Driver Side Airbag and is specific to 54,000 vehicles. Volvo will replace faulty airbags with new units that contain a different propellent, free of charge.

As of this article’s writing, RAS has not received any notification that these airbags will be part of the Bounty Program. RAS stands ready to integrate the Volvo VIN’s into our current mobile/desktop/web systems.

Not Just Takata

One of the key aspects of recent headlines is that Takata did not make these airbags. ZF, an automotive parts supplier, now known as ZF-TRW, is the manufacturer. While these airbags are not related to the Takata Recall, the resulting rupture and launching of metal fragments into the passenger compartment are eerily similar. The basic difference between the Takata and ZF airbags is the propellent. For Recyclers, the big takeaway is that as airbags age, the propellent can degrade. Auto Recyclers should be vigilant as to their Airbag Policy and if Airbags will continue to be a viable part type available for sale.

Not Just Airbags

Defective seat belt assemblies have also been in the news. BMW has been in the news due to a defect whereby front seat belt buckle sensors may detect belted occupants as unbelted, meaning the seat belt would not hold back the occupant, putting them at greater risk of injury.

In October, an NBC News article cited a concern that millions of vehicles outfitted with seatbelts made by Takata, could possibly be recalled. Joyson Safety Systems, the automotive supplier that took over the assets of Takata after they went bankrupt in 2017, is reviewing 20 years of testing data regarding the accuracy of quality control on the seat belt webbing. As in the case of the airbags, Takata provided webbing for up to 40% of Japanese made vehicles and up to 30% of vehicles produced worldwide.

RAS – Airbag Recovery Program

RAS stands ready to assist any automaker in providing a bounty airbag recovery program for the end of life Auto Recycling Industry. This is one area where Automakers and Auto Recyclers can provide a huge service to the driving public by taking an aggressive approach to retrieve 100% of these airbags in the marketplace.  RAS has developed a massive logistic network in the US and Canada that is poised to recover any number of recalled parts in automobiles. Identifying parts by VIN and being able to give recyclers the information they need to package the products safely for transport is all that needs to be done.

Non-Bounty Airbags

There are still Automakers that have not recognized the value of partnering with RAS to provide an aggressive end-of-life airbag recovery program. To date, the following automakers do not provide this end of life service; Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Volkswagen. Currently, we are working on incorporating Volvo airbags into our Non-Bounty search.

Questions on current airbag recalls? Call or email Paul the Recall Guy at 401-458-9080 or pdadamo@coresupply.com

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn