Volvo issues global recall for over 5 lakh cars and SUVs

Volvo has recalled 5,07,000 cars globally over concerns that a faulty engine component could pose a fire hazard. Volvo India has confirmed around 3,000 models are affected. The recall was prompted by a number of reported incidents concerning the Swedish brand’s four-cylinder 2.0-litre diesel engines used on cars and SUVs made between 2014 and 2019. An investigation identified a plastic engine intake manifold that could melt and ignite a fire in the engine bay. No other engines are affected. 

Models that are affected by the recall include the S60, S60 Cross Country, S80, S90, V40, V40 Cross Country, V60, V60 Cross Country, V70, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, XC70 and XC90. 

The Swedish carmaker is currently in the process of contacting all owners and advising them of potential warning signs. 

Customers are warned that an early symptom of the problem is an abnormal smell, which Volvo says “is an odour which is not usually present whilst driving your car”. Other symptoms include engine interruption, loss of power and illumination of the engine warning light.

Drivers who are concerned their vehicle could catch fire are instructed to pull over and call Volvo’s On-Call recovery service for recovery to a local dealership for repair. A fix will be carried out free of charge if the problem is found to be related to the vulnerable intake manifold. 

Despite the fire risk, Volvo advised owners: “Provided your car is not showing any of the symptoms outlined in the letter, it is safe to continue to use your car.”

The nature of the necessary repair has not yet been determined. Volvo says “the complete solution is still under development at this time and is an urgent priority”. 

A company statement said: “The safety and continued satisfaction of our customers are very important to us. We take this situation very seriously and are working to finalise a fix for the cars.

“In the meantime, it is important we make customers aware of this potential issue so they are able to react accordingly should any symptoms indicating an issue occur.”

The news comes as Volvo celebrates record sales in the first half of 2019, with 340,286 cars sold between January and June. The brand's range of SUVs was largely responsible for the success, accounting for 60.7% of all sales. 

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