Recall 12V439 covers 9 2013 Volvo S60 and XC60 vehicles with SRS control units that can deploy restraints without cause. Volvo replaced them before sale.
Volvo is recalling 9 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles because a manufacturing defect in the Supplemental Restraint System control unit can trigger the seat belt pretensioner or inflatable curtain without cause. That unexpected deployment can distract the driver and reduce visibility, increasing crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The Supplemental Restraint System control unit in the 2013 Volvo S60 and XC60 is the electronic module that watches crash sensors and decides when restraint devices should fire. In normal operation, it keeps the seat belt pretensioners and inflatable curtain airbags inactive until crash conditions call for deployment.
On affected vehicles, a manufacturing defect inside that control unit can trigger those restraint parts at the wrong time. The seat belt pretensioner is the device that tightens the belt against an occupant during a crash. The inflatable curtain is the side curtain airbag that drops from the roof area to help protect occupants in a side impact or rollover.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not given an advance symptom to watch for before the control unit sends an unintended deployment command.
Who's affected?
The S60 and XC60 are tied to the same front air bag component, so the model name alone is not enough.
| 2013 Volvo S60 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2013 Volvo XC60 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 9 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unintended seat belt pretensioner or inflatable side curtain deployment can distract the driver and reduce the driver's view, increasing crash risk. If your VIN is included, confirm the SRS control unit repair before delivery or regular use. Repair will be free at any franchised Volvo dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Volvo S60 or XC60 is included in this recall.
- Confirm with Volvo customer service that the SRS control unit replacement was completed before sale or before you drive the vehicle.
- Contact a franchised Volvo dealer if your VIN is included and the SRS control unit replacement is not documented.
- Reference recall number 12V439 when you call, and explain that the SRS control unit defect can trigger unintended seat belt pretensioner or inflatable curtain deployment.
- Keep the Volvo owner notice with your service paperwork if you received one.
What happens at the repair
Volvo's remedy for recall 12V439 was handled before sale. The affected 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles were not sold to owners, and Volvo planned to replace the SRS control unit before any car left dealer inventory. The repair addresses the control module that manages seat belt pretensioners and inflatable curtains. If an included vehicle still needs the recall work, a Volvo technician replaces the SRS control unit, and the dealer repair will be free once available. Contact a Volvo dealer with the VIN for service status.
Timeline
| September 10, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 18, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V439?
Recall 12V439 covers 9 2013 Volvo S60 and XC60 vehicles with a defect in the Supplemental Restraint System control unit. The defect can cause the seat belt pretensioner or inflatable curtain to deploy without cause, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2013 Volvo S60 or XC60 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V439. If it is, contact a franchised Volvo dealer and reference recall number 12V439. Volvo said the SRS control unit would be replaced before the affected vehicles were sold.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Volvo's remedy is replacement of the SRS control unit. A franchised Volvo dealer handles the recall repair free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an unintended deployment of the seat belt pretensioner or inflatable curtain. If that happens, the driver can be distracted and visibility can be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V439000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo customer service | 1-800-458-1552 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V439 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V439000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →