Recall 20V681 affects 54,124 2001-2003 Volvo S60 and S80 vehicles for driver-side air bag inflator rupture. Repair is free at any franchised Volvo dealer.
Volvo is recalling 54,124 2001-2003 S60 and S80 vehicles sold or registered in listed states and territories because the driver-side frontal air bag inflator can rupture during deployment. Metal fragments can strike occupants and raise the risk of serious injury or death; Volvo dealers will replace the air bag free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver airbag assembly in the 2001-2003 Volvo S60 and S80 sits inside the steering wheel and is built to protect the driver in a crash. During a qualifying frontal impact, the inflator burns propellant to create gas, which fills the air bag fast enough to cushion the driver.
On affected vehicles, the inflator contains propellant tablets that break down after repeated exposure to high heat and moisture. The moisture moves in and out of the tablets as temperatures rise and fall, and that creates dust on the tablet surface. The dust gives the propellant more surface area to burn, which raises the burn rate and increases pressure inside the inflator. If the driver air bag deploys, that pressure can rupture the inflator and send metal fragments into the passenger compartment.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the inflator, so the airbag warning light is not listed as an early clue for this recall.
Who's affected?
Covers the S60 and S80 across the 2001, 2002, and 2003 model years, all tied to the same driver-side front air bag inflator.
| 2001 Volvo S60 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2002 Volvo S60 | front air bag |
| 2003 Volvo S60 | front air bag |
| 2001 Volvo S80 | front air bag |
| 2002 Volvo S80 | front air bag |
| 2003 Volvo S80 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 54,124 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the driver side air bag inflator ruptures, metal fragments can strike people in the vehicle and increase the risk of serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm your VIN and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Volvo dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2001-2003 Volvo S60 or S80 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volvo dealer to schedule the free driver-side air bag module replacement, which addresses the inflator rupture risk.
- Bring any Volvo recall notice you received. If you do not have one, reference recall number 20V681 when you call.
- Avoid unnecessary driving until the driver-side air bag module is replaced.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volvo technician replaces the driver side air bag module. The replacement part and labor are free under recall 20V681, and the repair is available now. Volvo has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid out of pocket for this repair before the recall notice. Bring documentation for the related air bag module repair and ask the service desk how to submit it under Volvo's plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 4, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 4, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| November 4, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 3, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 3, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| April 20, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V681?
Recall 20V681 covers 54,124 2001-2003 Volvo S60 and S80 vehicles sold or ever registered in specified states and U.S. territories. The driver-side frontal air bag inflator can rupture during deployment and send metal fragments into the passenger compartment. Volvo dealers replace the driver-side air bag module for free.
What should I do if my 2001-2003 Volvo S60 or S80 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V681. If it is, contact a franchised Volvo dealer to schedule the driver-side air bag module replacement. Reference recall number 20V681 or Volvo recall R10058 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Volvo dealers will replace the driver-side air bag module free of charge, and Volvo lists customer service at 1-800-458-1552 for recall R10058.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V681?
The risk is that the driver-side frontal air bag inflator can rupture when the air bag deploys. Metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of serious injury or death. If your VIN is included, schedule the free Volvo dealer repair.
What if I bought my Volvo S60 or S80 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2001-2003 Volvo S60 or S80 is included, then contact a franchised Volvo dealer and reference recall 20V681.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V681000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo customer service | 1-800-458-1552 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V681 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V681000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →