Volvo is recalling 507,000 vehicles worldwide because of a defective engine component, which could cause a vehicle fire. The company, which is owned by China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., has said its own investigations have identified that in rare cases, the plastic engine intake manifold may melt and deform. In such cases, the automaker said, “a localized engine bay fire may occur.”
The cars being recalled were produced in 2014-2019 and have a 2-liter, 4-cylinder diesel engine. The affected models are the S60, S80, S90, V40, V60, V70, V90, XC60 and XC90. While the company has no reports of accidents or personal injuries, all customers will receive a letter asking them to contact their local retailer for corrective action. Company officials say they are keen to perform the repairs as soon as possible at no cost to consumers.
Dangers of Vehicle Fires
Fire hazards in vehicles, in addition to resulting in serious property damage, can also cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, approximately one in seven fires responded to by fire departments across the nation is a vehicle fire. The numbers show 86 percent of vehicle fires occurred in passenger vehicles and 61 percent of vehicle fires originated in the engine, running gear or wheel area of the vehicle. The leading factor contributing to the ignition of vehicle fires was mechanical failure (44 percent).
Auto Product Liability Issues
In the case of these Volvo vehicles, it appears that the problem was in the plastic engine intake manifold. Whether engine fires or vehicle fires occur as a result of a manufacturing defect or design flaw, manufacturers of those vehicles and/or vehicle parts can be held accountable for injuries, damages or losses caused.
The automakers or manufacturers of defective parts can be held accountable for the resulting medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and other related damages. An experienced auto product defect law firm will be able to stay on top of the investigation and ensure that the injured victims are fairly compensated for their losses. In such cases, it is important to preserve the vehicle in its current condition unaltered so that an expert can thoroughly examine it for defects, malfunctions and design flaws.
