Volvo recalls 40,000 EX30 electric SUVs to swap out battery packs

Volvo's newest small SUV keeps giving the company a headache after a headache. The automaker announced a global recall of more than 40,000 Volvo EX30 models. The issue involves the high-voltage battery packs, which, according to reports, might catch fire under certain conditions. This is a huge blow for a vehicle that was supposed to lead the brand into a more affordable era of EVs.

The recall affects exactly 40,323 vehicles across the globe, including an unknown number of cars sold in the United States. Volvo is specifically looking at two versions of the SUV: the Single-Motor Extended Range and the Twin-Motor Performance models. If you own one of these, you might want to pay close attention to your mail. The company is reaching out to owners to explain what they need to do next to keep their cars safe.

Replacing battery modules is not a quick or cheap fix. Experts estimate this could cost Volvo nearly $195 million. That is a lot of money for a car that just hit the market. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not posted the official paperwork yet, but the news is already setting the internet forums alight. It seems the "hottest" new car on the market is a bit too warm for comfort.

The specific problem in Volvo's situation points back to the battery cells. These parts were made by a joint venture called Shandong Geely Sunwoda Power Battery Co. Volvo has not shared every technical detail, but the risk seems to be the highest when the battery is full. To prevent any dangerous fires, Volvo is telling drivers to stop charging their cars once they reach 70%.

Safety experts are also giving some common-sense advice to EV owners involved in this recall. Until the cars are fixed, it is a smart idea to park them outside. Keeping the vehicle away from your house, garage, or other cars is a simple way to prevent a total disaster if something goes wrong. It might be an inconvenience to leave your shiny new Volvo in the driveway, but it beats having a fire in your living room.

This is not the first time the Volvo EX30 has dealt with fire concerns. Earlier this year, in January, the company recalled 40 units of the 2025 model for a similar reason. In that case, engineers found a problem called "lithium plating growth" - tiny metal structures that grow inside the battery and cause a short circuit. It is not yet clear if this new recall is caused by the same exact glitch, but the symptoms and the warnings are identical.

Volvo claims it has already fixed the manufacturing issue that caused the bad batteries. The company says future models will use updated cells that do not have this fire risk. Unfortunately, for the 40,000 people who already bought the car, the only solution is to head to the dealership for a hardware swap. Volvo technicians will have to open up the battery packs and replace the faulty modules with new ones.

Building electric cars is proving again to be a difficult business, and even experienced brands like Volvo hit speed bumps. The EX30 was designed to be a budget-friendly entry into the world of luxury EVs, but these early mechanical troubles will make some buyers nervous. For now, the Swedish automaker is focused on getting these SUVs back into the shop to ensure they are safe for the road. If you are an owner, keep that charger set to 70% and wait for your appointment.

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