Dear jchonig,

Hope you're well. Glad that no one was much hurt!!!! The car did what Volvo's engineers intended: absorbed and dissipated impact energy, before that energy reached the occupants.

Other posters are correct: impact energy bent the frame, which dooms the car.

Even if that weren't so, airbag deployment means seatbelt pyrotechnic pre-tensioners are expended and - with the airbag sensor and its wiring harnesses - would have to be replaced. Replacements might be had from a salvage yard. While the sensor can be had from Volvo for about $1,100, the airbag itself no longer is available (and would cost about $800, were it available from Volvo).


In short, count your blessings - that all within were little hurt - find a replacement and use this as a "parts car".

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook