XC90 Passenger Airbag Cut Off - REALLY URGENT
Discussion
Dear all,
On Friday my wife gave birth to our third child.
On Saturday I took delivery of a 2007 XC90
On Saturday afternoon i realised that this car does not have a passender airbag cut off switch (PACOS)
This leaves me cursing my carelessness, but I figure I can get a switch retro fitted or get the bag disabled for a period of time - at a cost. However, according to my local dealer neither can be done.
I hope that someone has a solution because it seems to me that at the moment I cannot legally/safely carry all three children in the vehicle at the same time. Here is the problem:
Matthew 25 months
Abigail 13 months
Oliver 1 week
No one under the age of three can sit in the front passenger seat whilst the airbag is active.
No one under the age of three can sit in the third row of seats
This leaves only the three seats in the second row but there is not enough romm to fit the three child seats abreast - The only reason I sold my Audi AG in the first place !!!
I am aware of the Multimac product, but decided against this for the Audi as I thought a generally bigger vehicle would be very useful going forward. Massive virtual handshake/kiss for anyone that can solve this crisis.
On Friday my wife gave birth to our third child.

On Saturday I took delivery of a 2007 XC90

On Saturday afternoon i realised that this car does not have a passender airbag cut off switch (PACOS)

This leaves me cursing my carelessness, but I figure I can get a switch retro fitted or get the bag disabled for a period of time - at a cost. However, according to my local dealer neither can be done.
I hope that someone has a solution because it seems to me that at the moment I cannot legally/safely carry all three children in the vehicle at the same time. Here is the problem:
Matthew 25 months
Abigail 13 months
Oliver 1 week
No one under the age of three can sit in the front passenger seat whilst the airbag is active.
No one under the age of three can sit in the third row of seats
This leaves only the three seats in the second row but there is not enough romm to fit the three child seats abreast - The only reason I sold my Audi AG in the first place !!!
I am aware of the Multimac product, but decided against this for the Audi as I thought a generally bigger vehicle would be very useful going forward. Massive virtual handshake/kiss for anyone that can solve this crisis.

Thanks for the feedback so far. What I am hearing from my local dealer is that there is a kit available to the dealer network that will enable passenger airbag to be switched off. However, Volvo UK will not allow UK dealers to have the kit or perform the surgery as they do not want these cars to be sold to unsuspecting buyers.
I see their point but if they are so concerned I don't understand why every car is fitted with a switch? If it is only a £25 option it most cost them almost nothing to fit the switch at production stage......
I see their point but if they are so concerned I don't understand why every car is fitted with a switch? If it is only a £25 option it most cost them almost nothing to fit the switch at production stage......
Shocker. I sold my Porsche Cayenne, and bought the XC90 only to be able to seat 3 kids legally/safely etc, so i know the dilemma you are in. We have 7 week old twins and a three year old.
We use rear facing isofix for the both the twins, with daughter on the volvo booster in the middle of them. No cars that i found could take 3 (isofix) seats across - believe me i tried everything, I know some are slimmer, but its always going to be a squeeze.
Who says you cannot put a child in the third row? its a full size seat with a proper three point belt?? Hopefully Its only a matter of months, before youre eldest can use the volvo booster?
Alternatively, i know its drastic, but is there no way the dealer will take the car back and swap for one with PACOS? You said you only had it a week? I got mine used from Stratstone and they offered a 1500 mile/1 month return policy.
good luck
Guy
Thanks for the feedback chaps.
Although the handbook says that the rear seats should not be used by under 3's I think they are being overly cautious. Although there is an airbag at the very rear of the car I can't see that it would interfere with a rear facing car seat in the third row.
Because there are forward facing car seats installed in the rear my wife has to access the baby seat via the boot. So if you see a small woman on her hands and knees in the back of an xc90 you know what is going on.
This problem will largely disappear in about 10 months, so is more of a pain than a disaster......you live and learn.
By the way, I bought the car off a dealer who underwrites traded ins, so i got the car at a good price, but there is no chance of an exchange
Although the handbook says that the rear seats should not be used by under 3's I think they are being overly cautious. Although there is an airbag at the very rear of the car I can't see that it would interfere with a rear facing car seat in the third row.
Because there are forward facing car seats installed in the rear my wife has to access the baby seat via the boot. So if you see a small woman on her hands and knees in the back of an xc90 you know what is going on.
This problem will largely disappear in about 10 months, so is more of a pain than a disaster......you live and learn.
By the way, I bought the car off a dealer who underwrites traded ins, so i got the car at a good price, but there is no chance of an exchange
ohidunno said:
Thanks for the feedback chaps.
Although the handbook says that the rear seats should not be used by under 3's I think they are being overly cautious. Although there is an airbag at the very rear of the car I can't see that it would interfere with a rear facing car seat in the third row.
Because there are forward facing car seats installed in the rear my wife has to access the baby seat via the boot. So if you see a small woman on her hands and knees in the back of an xc90 you know what is going on.
This problem will largely disappear in about 10 months, so is more of a pain than a disaster......you live and learn.
By the way, I bought the car off a dealer who underwrites traded ins, so i got the car at a good price, but there is no chance of an exchange
tried the britax site. loads of helpful info. 2 things: i know a rear facing seat is a no no with passenger airbag, but your son is in a front facing i guess?, are you sure that is still a problemAlthough the handbook says that the rear seats should not be used by under 3's I think they are being overly cautious. Although there is an airbag at the very rear of the car I can't see that it would interfere with a rear facing car seat in the third row.
Because there are forward facing car seats installed in the rear my wife has to access the baby seat via the boot. So if you see a small woman on her hands and knees in the back of an xc90 you know what is going on.
This problem will largely disappear in about 10 months, so is more of a pain than a disaster......you live and learn.
By the way, I bought the car off a dealer who underwrites traded ins, so i got the car at a good price, but there is no chance of an exchange
eg:
http://www.britax.co.uk/index.php?option=com_fitfi...
2) this on line guide shows that a 2 year old can go in 3rd row
ohidunno said:
Thanks for the feedback so far. What I am hearing from my local dealer is that there is a kit available to the dealer network that will enable passenger airbag to be switched off. However, Volvo UK will not allow UK dealers to have the kit or perform the surgery as they do not want these cars to be sold to unsuspecting buyers.
Did you find a a way around this? I have a friend who has found themselves in the same situation and the volvo dealers aren't exactly forthcoming with the info ?ohidunno said:
Thanks for the feedback so far. What I am hearing from my local dealer is that there is a kit available to the dealer network that will enable passenger airbag to be switched off. However, Volvo UK will not allow UK dealers to have the kit or perform the surgery as they do not want these cars to be sold to unsuspecting buyers.
I see their point but if they are so concerned I don't understand why every car is fitted with a switch? If it is only a £25 option it most cost them almost nothing to fit the switch at production stage......
I too am unsure of the reason to make the switch a £25 option, but I certainly recommend that all of my new car clients specify it on their cars.I see their point but if they are so concerned I don't understand why every car is fitted with a switch? If it is only a £25 option it most cost them almost nothing to fit the switch at production stage......
I've noticed that there is a section in recent UK Volvo service books specifically for documenting instances where the passenger airbag has been disconnected - I will consult with our service department on Monday.
Hi everyone. I know that this is a relatively old chain/topic but was wondering if a solution was ever reached? ie did anyone find a way to retroactively install the cut-off device or find another volvo approved solution to the problem. have just bought a second hand xc90 and only became aware of the issue once the deal had gone through. i have a baby who is now used to driving in the front with me and unless i want tinnitus, i will need to figure out a way to keep her in front in the new car.
would be extremely grateful for a solution
thanks!
would be extremely grateful for a solution

thanks!
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