Volvo spokeswoman Maria Bohlin said 38,000 diesel versions of the S60, V70, XC70, and XC90 models made in 2006 were being called back in Europe due to a material fault that could cause the motor to catch fire. The second callback, involving 18,000 of the company's latest V70 and XC70 models, relates to an airbag problem in the side of the car.
Bohlin said the fuel injector plants or bolts, located on top of the motor cylinder, were faulty, potentially causing diesel to leak out into the motor. Injector plants or bolts would be replaced for free in a procedure that would take about two hours, she said.
With the air bags, ''there's a risk they don't launch fast enough,'' Bohlin said.
The cars have mainly been sold in Britain, Sweden, and the U.S. Bohlin declined to say how much the recalls and maintenance work would cost the company.
Volvo has been owned by Ford since 1999, when it was acquired for $6.45 billion.
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