Recall 21V800 affects 194,546 2001-2007 Volvo V70 and XC70 vehicles for an exploding driver air bag inflator. Repair is free at any franchised Volvo dealer.
Volvo is recalling 194,546 2001-2007 V70 and XC70 vehicles because the driver's air bag inflator can explode during deployment after propellant degradation. An inflator rupture can send sharp metal fragments toward the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death, and Volvo dealers will replace the driver's air bag free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver air bag assembly in 2001-2007 Volvo V70 and XC70 vehicles holds the air bag module in the steering wheel. Its inflator is the metal canister that fills the bag during a crash. In normal operation, the inflator burns propellant in a controlled way so the air bag opens in front of the driver.
In affected vehicles, the FG2 Twin inflator uses 5AT 148N propellant that breaks down after long exposure to high humidity, high heat, and repeated temperature cycling. Moisture collects on the propellant tablets, their surface changes, and dust forms over time. That dust increases the burn surface area, which raises the burn rate and combustion pressure. During deployment, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments toward the driver, a risk tied to NHTSA campaign 21V800.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem shows up during a crash with driver air bag deployment, so the repair replaces the driver air bag assembly with a newer inflator design.
Who's affected?
Both model lines use the same driver air bag assembly named for this recall.
| 2001 Volvo V70 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2001 Volvo V70 | front air bag |
| 2002 Volvo V70 | front air bag |
| 2002 Volvo V70 | front air bag |
| 2003 Volvo V70 | front air bag |
| 2003 Volvo V70 | front air bag |
| 2004 Volvo V70 | front air bag |
| 2004 Volvo V70 | front air bag |
| 2003 Volvo XC70 | front air bag |
| 2003 Volvo XC70 | front air bag |
| 2004 Volvo XC70 | front air bag |
| 2004 Volvo XC70 | front air bag |
| 2005 Volvo XC70 | front air bag |
| 2005 Volvo XC70 | front air bag |
| 2005 Volvo V70 | front air bag |
| 2005 Volvo V70 | front air bag |
| 2001 Volvo XC70 | front air bag |
| 2001 Volvo XC70 | front air bag |
| 2002 Volvo XC70 | front air bag |
| 2002 Volvo XC70 | front air bag |
| 2006 Volvo XC70 | front air bag |
| 2006 Volvo XC70 | front air bag |
| 2006 Volvo V70 | front air bag |
| 2006 Volvo V70 | front air bag |
| 2007 Volvo XC70 | front air bag |
| 2007 Volvo XC70 | front air bag |
| 2007 Volvo V70 | front air bag |
| 2007 Volvo V70 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 194,546 |
| 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 wagon is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash that deploys the driver's air bag, a degraded inflator can explode and send sharp metal fragments into the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. Vehicles exposed to hot, humid conditions for long periods face higher rupture risk. Schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Volvo dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2001-2007 Volvo V70 or XC70 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volvo dealer to schedule the free driver's air bag replacement that removes the degraded inflator risk.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. Reference recall number 21V800 when you call.
- Avoid delaying the repair; the risk is metal fragments from the driver's air bag inflator during deployment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volvo technician replaces the driver's air bag covered by recall 21V800. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Owner letters were mailed December 14, 2021, so the repair path is open now for included VINs. Volvo's general reimbursement plan is on file. If you paid out of pocket for a related driver air bag repair before the recall notice, contact Volvo Car customer service and keep your repair documentation for the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 14, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 14, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| October 14, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 14, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 14, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 14, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V800?
Recall 21V800 covers 194,546 2001-2007 Volvo V70 and XC70 vehicles with a driver's air bag inflator that can explode during deployment after propellant degradation from long exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature cycling. Volvo dealers will replace the driver's air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2001-2007 Volvo V70 or XC70 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V800. If it is, contact a franchised Volvo dealer to schedule the driver's air bag replacement. Reference recall number 21V800 or Volvo recall number R10136 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Volvo to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers will replace the driver's air bag free of charge at a franchised Volvo dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 21V800?
The safety risk is sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants if the inflator explodes during air bag deployment. Volvo's recall filing ties that failure to serious injury or death. The dealer repair replaces the driver's air bag for free.
What if I bought my Volvo V70 or XC70 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner or where the vehicle was purchased. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Volvo dealer with recall number 21V800 or Volvo recall number R10136 if your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V800000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo customer service | 1-888-458-1552 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V800 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V800000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →