Volvo Cars will recall more than 40,000 of its flagship EX30 electric SUVs after identifying a risk of battery overheating. The move affects vehicles sold across multiple countries and centers on replacing modules within the high-voltage battery packs.
The recall marks a significant moment for the Swedish automaker, whose brand identity is closely tied to safety. According to Reuters, the issue involves 40,323 EX30 Single-Motor Extended Range and Twin-Motor Performance models equipped with specific high-voltage cells. Owners are now being contacted as the company prepares to replace affected components free of charge.
The development comes as Volvo accelerates its transition toward electrification and deeper integration with its majority owner, China’s Geely. It also unfolds against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny over electric vehicle battery safety across the global auto industry.
Battery Modules to Be Replaced across More than a Dozen Countries
The recall involves replacing modules inside the EX30’s high-voltage battery packs due to a risk of overheating that could potentially lead to fires. Volvo confirmed the action to Reuters on Monday, describing it as a precautionary measure affecting vehicles already on the road.
Owners in more than a dozen countries, including the United States, Australia, and Brazil, have been advised since December to park their vehicles away from buildings and limit charging to 70 percent. The company reiterated that affected units will be repaired at no cost to customers.
The batteries in question were manufactured by Shandong Geely Sunwoda Power Battery Co., a Geely-backed joint venture. Volvo stated that the supplier has addressed the defect and will provide replacement battery cells. While the automaker did not disclose the total financial impact, Reuters reported that replacement modules could cost an estimated $195 million, excluding logistics and repair expenses. Volvo described that estimate as speculative and said discussions with the supplier are ongoing.
News of the recall had an immediate market impact. Shares in Volvo Cars fell 4 percent following the Reuters report, reflecting investor sensitivity to battery-related setbacks in the competitive EV sector.
Safety Reputation and Customer Confidence under Pressure
The EX30 is a central model in Volvo’s effort to compete with lower-cost Chinese electric vehicle brands. Industry analysts suggest that the recall carries reputational weight beyond the direct repair costs.
“The EX30 especially is very important to Volvo, so they have to get it right,” Sam Fiorani, vice president for global vehicle forecasting at AutoForecast Solutions, told Reuters. His comments underscore the strategic role of the compact SUV within Volvo’s broader electrification plans.
Battery defects have posed challenges for other automakers in recent years. In 2020, General Motors recalled 140,000 Chevrolet Bolt vehicles due to fire risks linked to batteries supplied by LG Electronics, a repair effort that cost $2 billion, according to Reuters. The comparison highlights the financial and reputational stakes tied to battery safety.
Some customers have already expressed frustration. Reuters reported that British insurance agent Matthew Owen said he selected the EX30 partly for its safety credentials and believes the company should take responsibility for producing what he described as a dangerous car. In New Zealand, owner Tony Lu told Reuters he faced higher costs because the 70 percent charging cap reduced the vehicle’s driving range, adding that he would welcome a buyback.
For Volvo, the recall represents a test of its longstanding safety image at a time when electric vehicles are redefining the industry’s technological and competitive landscape.
