Volvo has released a global safety notice for the EX30 electric compact crossover over a potential fire risk with the vehicle’s battery. Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) has confirmed that the issue also affect certain Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance models here, specifically those produced and sold between 2024 and 2025.
VCM clarifies that not all variants of the EX30 are affected, and all other models not mentioned in the safety notice are also not affected.
The safety notice pertains to a defect in the battery cells modules, which could lead to cells overheating at high charge levels, and in “worst case scenarios”, resulting in vehicle fires. That said, in a statement by VCM, the carmaker states that the actual number of reported incidents is “very low”, only accounting for 0.02% of the vehicles identified as potentially affected.
To date, the carmaker has not received any reports of related personal injuries. Nevertheless, the company is advising its customers against charging the vehicle above 70% as a preventative measure. The charging limit can be set in the ‘Charging’ setting menu on the vehicle’s display.
The Australian Government’s official Vehicle Recalls website lists that 2,815 units of the Volvo EX30 are being recalled in the country, and reports state that over 10,000 units in the UK, as well as under 100 units in the Americas are affected. Globally, it is believed that around 34,000 cars are subject to the warning.
VCM plans to roll out a recall as soon as possible to fix the cars affected by the safety notice.
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The safety notice is reportedly part of a broader issue involving vehicles equipped with battery cells produced by Chinese battery manufacturer Sunwoda. Volvo’s parent company, Geely, has recently filed a lawsuit against Sunwoda through its battery systems subsidiary Viridi E-Mobility Technology, alleging quality defects in battery cells supplied between June 2021 and December 2023.
The carmaker is seeking CNY2.31 billion (approx. RM1.35 billion) in damages. The same battery is also used in several other vehicles within Geely Group, including the Zeekr X and Smart #3. It is unclear if these other models are affected by the same safety issue, but Zeekr recently carried out a “Winter Care Campaign” in China to offer battery inspections and free replacement to affected owners, CarNewsChina reports.
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