Reasons Behind Your Volvo’s Airbag Malfunction Light

Posted on | 22 May 2020 By Anita Gaal

Volvo vehicles are well-known for their dependable performance and consistent safety. As a result, it might come as a surprise when you’re driving your Volvo to see the airbag malfunction light turn on. When owning a Volvo, you need to know what this symbol means and why it may illuminate.

Causes of Volvo Airbag Malfunction

Because of the importance of airbag functionality in your car, whichever of these might be the issue, it’s still best that you have a qualified auto mechanic look over your car for safety. Though the airbag light comes on when you start your car as its system tests itself, it should always turn off after a short period of time.

Case #1

Your Volvo has a sensor that tells the car’s computer if the seat belts are fastened when people of a certain weight are sitting in the seats. If there is a fault in the sensor, and it does not detect a passenger or driver, the airbag light will come on. The airbag is in jeopardy of not deploying in a collision because the car has no sensor that someone is sitting in the seat.

There can be some simple reasons for this, such as debris or a coin lodged inside the seat belt buckle. Something like this is a simple fix, but if the airbag warning light comes on, it’s still best to have your car inspected because of the high stakes involved in knowing if you have properly-functioning airbags in your car. If you’ve checked your buckle for debris and do not find any obvious issues, bring your car in to check the airbag sensor.

Case #2

If something inside the airbag is malfunctioning or broken, the airbag warning light will illuminate. Inside the airbag is a clock spring. This is a coil that helps connect the electrical wiring to the airbags. If it is damaged, the airbag won’t deploy during an accident. This is an urgent issue that needs immediate repair.

Case #3

When a car has been in an accident, the force, location, and direction of the crash are all measured instantly by sensors in the car. These sensors help the car’s computer determine if the airbags should be deployed, and if so, which ones will inflate to protect you in the case of a side impact, head on collision, or other crash. This helps make sure that airbags are spared or not deployed if they are not necessary.

In some crashes, these sensors register force that doesn’t necessitate airbag deployment. If you have a very minor collision and the airbags do not need to deploy, your airbag sensors may need to be reset. Without having this valuable component reset, the airbag sensor may not detect a future crash, failing to deploy the airbag when, in fact, this time, it was necessary for driver and passenger protection.

You can see why it is imperative to bring your Volvo in for inspection of the warning light illuminates, indicating any problem with your airbag.

No matter what the cause of the airbag malfunction, it’s essential that your car’s safety is assured by a thorough and detailed check of all your safety systems, so you can drive your Volvo knowing that all of its safety features are fully operational. While it can be helpful for you to know what can be causing problems with your Volvo’s airbags, in the end, all of these concerns will require inspection, repair, and possible replacement to be required.

Volvo Recalls

Some Volvo vehicles in the past have had faulty airbag clocksprings. These models were recalled by the company in 2015. If you’re driving an older model of the car, make sure you know your car’s history so you can be sure that the issues related to the Takata airbag recall don’t affect your safety while driving.

How Euro Automotive Can Help Inspect Your Volvo

Now that you know more about what airbags can mean for your safety, if you have noticed the airbag malfunction light in your Volvo has turned on, do not hesitate to bring your car in for inspection to Euro Automotive.

We have locations in Dallas, Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth, TX. Our performance, from routine maintenance and general inspections to repairs, will guarantee your Volvo’s safety and proper performance. You can leave our shops feeling confident in the work we perform to get you back on the road safely and quickly. Contact us today for an appointment.