South African motorists driving one of the country’s best-selling electric vehicles have been placed on alert following a recall announcement by the National Consumer Commission (NCC). The recall affects 372 Volvo EX30 electric vehicles currently on local roads.
According to the NCC, the recall applies to specific 2024 to 2026 model-year Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance variants. The issue relates to a potential defect in the vehicle’s high-voltage battery system.
In a statement, the NCC said that in rare circumstances the battery may overheat when charged to a high level. While such incidents are uncommon, overheating could trigger a thermal event, creating a potential fire risk.
As a precautionary measure, owners of the affected vehicles have been advised to limit their vehicle’s maximum charging level to 70% until a permanent fix is implemented. The commission stressed that this interim step is important to reduce risk while corrective measures are finalised.
The NCC has urged consumers not to ignore the recall and to make arrangements with authorised Volvo dealerships for inspection and repairs. All work linked to the recall will be conducted at no cost to affected owners.
Volvo South Africa confirmed that it notified EX30 customers of the issue in a formal communication sent on Tuesday, 30 December 2025. The manufacturer emphasised that the problem is rare, with reported incidents accounting for approximately 0.2% of the vehicles identified globally.
Importantly for local drivers, Volvo said there have been no reports of personal injuries linked to the issue and no confirmed incidents of battery overheating in South Africa to date.
“We plan to initiate a recall as soon as possible to repair the affected vehicles,” Volvo said. “In the meantime, we are requesting that all affected owners limit their cars’ maximum charge level to 70%.”
To assist owners, Volvo has provided step-by-step guidance on how to adjust the charging limit using the vehicle’s onboard system. Drivers are instructed to access the vehicle settings, navigate to the charging menu, and manually set the target battery level to a maximum of 70%.
Volvo also clarified that not all EX30 variants are affected and that other models in its range are not included in the recall. Affected customers will be contacted directly with further updates as the recall process progresses.
While recalls are never welcome news, industry experts note that proactive safety interventions are a normal part of modern vehicle manufacturing, particularly in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle sector. For EX30 owners, the key message is straightforward: follow the interim charging guidance and book an inspection when contacted.
