Volvo recalls some 2011 models over overly sensitive software 12/01/2010
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced a recall affecting cars made by Swedish automaker Volvo.
The recall, which affects 6,046 cars in the United States, stems from a glitch in the vehicles' software systems. According to USA Today, the software in question governs the cutoff of fuel to the engine, and defective vehicles possess software that is too sensitive.
If erroneously triggered, the car's programming can lead to a drop in the engine's idle speed. This drop has the potential to cause the engine to stall when the driver applies the brakes or is coasting in stop-and-go traffic. Volvo issued the recall over concerns that any such engine stall may result in an increased likelihood of a crash.
The cars affected by the recall are all 2011 models of the Volvo S80, S60, XC70 and XC60. Outside the software programming error, there are no physical problems with the vehicles. Once the recall formally begins on December 10, owners of vehicles subjected to the recall are invited to bring their cars to a Volvo dealership to have the faulty software replaced free of charge.