Volvo Does Not Approve of Aftermarket Parts Utilization
Volvo Car USA does not approve of the use of aftermarket replacement parts. All the parts in a Volvo vehicle are responsible for specific functions. Genuine Volvo parts have been optimized for safety, structural integrity and fit. Aftermarket parts are not subjected to the same testing and requirements and may not be manufactured to the same standards. Thus, using aftermarket parts may compromise the vehicle’s performance and safety, placing passengers at risk.
Aftermarket Parts Can Compromise Vehicle Safety
Aftermarket parts (such as bumpers, shocks, reinforcements, headlights, supports, fenders, hoods, suspension and unibody components) may interfere with the functionality of vehicle crumple zones, Supplemental Restraint Systems and drivetrain. It is also undetermined whether or not the aftermarket parts being installed meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Use of aftermarket parts can affect vehicle warranty, if the parts cause failures to other systems directly or indirectly.
Volvo Also Disapproves of Reconditioned Parts Utilization
Volvo Car USA does not approve of the use of reconditioned replacement parts. All the parts in a Volvo vehicle are responsible for specific functions. Genuine Volvo parts have been optimized for safety, structural integrity and fit. Reconditioned parts are not subjected to the same testing and requirements and may not be reconditioned/remanufactured to the same standards. Thus, aftermarket parts may compromise the vehicle’s performance and safety, placing passengers at risk. Reconditioned Parts are also not traceable should a recall occur in the future.
It is not possible to visibly determine the extent of damage to a part prior to reconditioning. Volvo Cars has specific repair methods and allowances to ensure that parts which directly affect safety and performance will perform in the same manner as they would at the time of manufacturing and assembly. Not abiding by the repair guidelines can compromise systems.
Volvo Rejects the Use of Like Kind Quality/Salvaged/Recycled Components Utilization
Volvo Car USA does not approve of the use of LKQ/salvaged or recycled replacement parts because there is no way to determine if parts have been previously damaged, heated, burned, or involved in a previous collision or flood loss. It cannot be determined if these parts are OEM, aftermarket or reconditioned until the part is received. LKQ, salvaged or recycled parts are often indirectly involved in a collision, flood or fire. They may have been exposed to harsh weather, extreme temperatures and may have excessive wear. These parts cannot be tested to meet Volvo Car requirements as there are no standards in place to test these components. LKQ/salvage/recycled parts are not traceable should a recall take place.
Volvo Insists on Using Approved Adhesives and Hardware
The use of non-Volvo Car approved adhesives can compromise vehicle safety. Volvo Car adhesives are specific to each vehicle and location of the repair.
Hardware: Volvo requires that hardware (e.g., screws, bolts, nuts, rivets) that has been damaged, worn or deformed as a result of a collision must be replaced with Genuine Volvo Car replacement parts to help ensure safety. Use of aftermarket, damaged, or deformed hardware in a repair cannot be guaranteed and therefore should never be used. All collision repair guides have been designed around the use of genuine Volvo Car Replacement Parts. Volvo Car cannot ensure a safe repair utilizing anything other than Genuine Volvo Car Replacement Parts.
Third party or non-Volvo components may lead to system or component errors which can have an adverse effect on certain safety or collision avoidance systems.
Using only genuine Volvo parts will help ensure vehicle safety, performance and residual value.
Volvo genuine parts are designed and manufactured to exacting specifications to help maximize safety, performance and reliability.
All Volvo exterior paneling, glass, unibody components, drivetrain, electronics, suspension SRS and steering components are essential to safe control of the vehicle. These parts are designed to work with other vehicle components to help keep occupants safe in an accident.
In the event of a collision, Volvo Car USA recommends that all repairs are performed by a Volvo Certified Technician through a Volvo Certified Collision Facility using only genuine Volvo Car parts.
