Software is a quality issue as electronics make up an ever larger portion of new vehicle content.
Volvo is recalling 2012 model year S60 passenger cars because they can stall without warning. All Volvo S60 models made from 18 November 2010 through 5 May 2011 will have the engine control software reprogrammed to eliminate this safety defect.
More than 7,550 S60 models are potentially affected in the U.S. in what is part of a larger global safety problem. And this is not the first Volvo software recall covering fuel system software. U.S. Volvo sales are at their highest monthly volume since March 2008, led by the S60 sedan with 2,405 units sold in May.
In an opaque filing with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Volvo said that “the software for the fuel pump units may not be compatible with all fuel pumps and components resulting in insufficient fuel transfer in the pump unit.”
The upshot is that the engine can hesitate or stall without warning – increasing the risk of an accident.
The Volvo S60 safety recall is expected to begin on or about 17 June 2011. Owners can contact Volvo at 1-201-768-7300 about recall campaign number is R243.
Volvo S60 owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
In 2009 Volvo recalled 2008-2010 S80, 2009-2010 XC 70 and 2010 XC60 vehicles for software problems that didn’t send a signal to the fuel pump electronic module, which prevented the start of the electronic fuel pump. However, the driver could start the engine in spite of the fuel pump not being activated due to residual pressure in the fuel system and operate the vehicle a short distance before the engine stalled.
