| Developers: | Volvo Cars |
| Branches: | Transport |
Content |
2026
Detection of a defect that causes a short circuit and fire
At the end of February 2026, Volvo Cars announced the recall of more than 40 thousand EX30 electric crossovers. These machines may experience overheating of the battery pack, which increases the likelihood of ignition.
The problem affects single-engine modifications of the Single-Motor Extended Range EX30 and twin-engine versions of the Twin-Motor Performance EX30. These vehicles are equipped with battery modules manufactured by Shandong Geely Sunwoda Power Battery Co. Due to the defect, there is a risk of a battery short circuit: under certain conditions, this can lead to ignition.
In total, 40,323 Volvo EX30 cars produced from 2024 to 2026 fall under the recall. Such crossovers were shipped to different markets, including the United States, Australia and Europe.
 | We are currently in contact with the owners of all affected vehicles to advise them of further action, says Volvo. |  |
As a temporary safety measure, motorists are advised to limit the charge level of the EX30 battery pack at 70%. In addition, if possible, vehicles should be parked away from any structures and other cars. Due to these restrictions, owners may face certain difficulties, including reduced range and the need to use the charger more often.
Volvo emphasizes that the battery supplier has already fixed the identified problem. The company will replace the defective battery packs with new ones. All work will be carried out free of charge for car owners.
| | Our goal is to start checking and replacing battery modules as soon as possible. Dealers will contact customers as soon as new units are available for installation in their cars, adds Volvo.[1] | |
Recall of 33.7 thousand defective cars that burn while charging
In January 2026, it became known that Volvo Cars was recalling 33.7 thousand electric crossovers EX30 due to the risk of overheating of batteries. The technical problem affects the cells produced by the Chinese company Sunwoda. According to the manufacturer, the defect can be present in about 0.02% of the cells and appear at a high charge level, potentially leading to thermal acceleration and ignition.
The problem has a broader context. As reported by Hypermiler, on November 6, 2025, a Volvo EX30 electric car caught fire in a Volvo dealership in Maceo, Brazil. The car was completely destroyed by fire. To eliminate the incident, it took the force of 11 firefighters in four cars.
According to eyewitnesses, a dense cloud of smoke suddenly appeared in the room. The fire developed rapidly, which is typical for the process of thermal acceleration - uncontrolled overheating and ignition of a high-voltage battery. The official conclusions of the investigation have not been presented, but the source of the fire is previously associated with the battery cell of the car.
According to CarNewsChina, in December 2025, the subsidiary of Geely (owner of Volvo) - Viridi E-Mobility Technology - filed a lawsuit against Sunwoda for 2.31 billion yuan due to the supply of defective batteries in 2021-2023. Similar incidents were previously recorded in the Zeekr 001 electric car, which used elements from the same manufacturer.
Before the start of the official recall program, owners in a number of countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, were advised not to charge cars above 70%. This measure is aimed at reducing risk, but reduces the range. Despite the company's assurances about the rarity of such incidents, the maximum battery limit introduced is perceived by customers as a wake-up call that undermines trust.[2]
2024: 72,000 cars produced need software updates
In mid-June 2024 Volvo , it reported that all 72 thousand cars produced by the EX30 model needed to be updated, software since it became known that due to a malfunction ON , the speedometer could EX30 go into test mode and turn off the instrument model.
In the first quarter of 2024, Volvo sold 14,500 EX30, which, according to the director of business management and deputy general director of Volvo Cars Björn Annwall, quickly became "one of the most sought-after electric cars in Europe." In the wake of popularity, over 35,000 more cars were sold in May, so EX30 became the third most popular electric car in Europe, second only to the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.
However, shortly after the release, Volvo said that all released electric vehicles should EX30 be re-inspected to fix the software glitch. The company says the issue can be solved with a wireless update that owners can either accept on their own or install for free at a nearby Volvo dealership.
This is not the first time Volvo has encountered problems with electric vehicle software. The release of the Volvo EX90 was also delayed due to software-related malfunctions. Although Volvo planned to start producing EX90 in South Carolina before the end of 2023, the first model did not come off the assembly line until June 2024.
Volvo EX30 has a significant place in the automaker's plans for electric vehicles. Given that the cost of the EX30 ranges from $34,950 in the US to €36,000 in Europe, it is one of the most affordable electric vehicles on the market and enjoys the expected popularity. If the software error can be easily corrected, EX30 sales can quickly return to their previous level.[3]
Notes
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