Volvo and its franchised dealers have spent close to 5 months telling customers that recalled EX30s are perfectly safe to buy and drive — “safe when not charged over 70%” was the exact phrase used by a sales manager at Marshall Grantham Volvo when we called them directly in March 2026.

At the same time, Volvo has been sending formal warning letters to existing EX30 owners — letters that warn of a possible fire risk, pre-emptively shift liability onto the driver, and explicitly state that failure to follow their guidance “will invalidate the Warranty for any incident or claim relating to the battery in the future.”

Both of those things cannot be true at the same time.

Either the car is safe — in which case the threatening warranty language and fire warnings are disproportionate and arguably designed to intimidate owners into compliance rather than inform them. Or the car is not safe — they should be taking steps on removing the 10,441 EX30s from our roads and stop selling them on the Volvo Selekt website.

We now have a copy of one of those letters (scroll down for the full text). And we have been made aware of an incident in Peterborough that Volvo has kept very quiet indeed. 

The Warning Letter

The letter, sent under the heading “IMPORTANT — VEHICLE SAFETY RECALL: RISK OF FIRE DUE TO CONTINUED OVERCHARGING”, is signed by Phil Moody, Head of UK Customer Care at Volvo Cars.

It references Safety Recall R/2025/559 (link here) and makes for uncomfortable reading, particularly for anyone who was sold one of these vehicles without being told about the recall. – And while we were checking the recall notice, we noticed something that even caught us off guard — the EX30 is now subject to not one but three active safety recalls. 

The letter states that Volvo’s diagnostic data shows the vehicle “continues to be charged to over 70%” and goes on to warn:

“In the worst-case scenario this could lead to a possible fire within the high voltage battery.”

And then, in bold:

“In the case of an incident a failure to follow this guidance could be taken into account when considering liability.”

And further:

“You must comply correctly with any product safety recalls notified to you by Volvo or an authorised Volvo retailer. Failure to comply will invalidate the Warranty for any incident or claim relating to the battery in the future.”

Read that again, Volvo is remotely monitoring how owners charge their cars. It is then writing to those owners to tell them that if something goes wrong, it could be their fault — and their warranty could be void.

This is the same company whose franchised dealers have been selling these cars (in one instance we know about) without telling buyers about the recall at all, and continues to sell recalled cars to this date.

Safe to sell?

As we reported in March 2026, we called Marshall Grantham Volvo and were told by their sales manager that Volvo had authorised the continued sale of recalled EX30s on the basis that they are “safe when not charged over 70%.”

We have since confirmed that recalled EX30s continue to appear on the Volvo Selekt approved used website. 

Here is an example of three cars for sale on the Volvo Selekt website as of 20:40 on 21/04/2026. Feel free to fact-check us on the GOV recall checker

• AF24USN – https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=AF24USN&checkRecalls=true
• YH24DBV – https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=YH24DBV&checkRecalls=true
• WA24YRJ – https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=WA24YRJ&checkRecalls=true

Under Regulation 5 of the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, it is illegal to supply a product that is not safe. A car with an active DVSA-confirmed safety recall — one that explicitly cites a risk of fire — is legally classed as unsafe until the defect is remedied. No charging workaround, no matter how reasonable it may sound, changes that legal classification.

The DVSA’s own guidance on safety recalls states clearly that one of the core objectives of a recall is to “stop the distribution and sale of an affected product.” Volvo appears to have taken the view that this objective is optional.

The Motor Ombudsman is equally clear: retailers should not sell a car with an outstanding recall, and any faults highlighted by a recall must be fixed before sale and delivery. We’re not making this up – here it is.

None of this has stopped the cars being sold. And now, having sold them, Volvo is writing to the owners of those same cars warning them that if the battery catches fire, it might be on them.

The first UK EX30 battery “incident”

We have been made aware — by a source in the vehicle logistics industry — of an incident at Marshall’s Volvo in Peterborough involving a Volvo EX30 that had been continually charged above the 70% limit.

According to our source, the battery cell pack in the affected vehicle was described as “bubbling” — a telltale sign of thermal runaway in lithium-ion battery systems. Thermal runaway is the process by which a battery cell overheats uncontrollably, generating heat faster than it can dissipate, potentially leading to fire.

We are told that Volvo recovered the vehicle (cleverly disguised under a fire blanket). The incident has not been publicly disclosed.

We want to be clear: we have not been able to independently verify the full details of this incident, and we have not received a response from Volvo at the time of publication. We are publishing this account as reported to us by a concerned party, in the public interest, and we invite anyone with direct knowledge of this or similar incidents to contact us.

What we can say is this: if this account is accurate, it represents exactly the scenario that the safety recall exists to prevent. And it happened at the dealership that told us, on the record, that the cars are “safe to sell.”

What this means for owners

If you have received one of these warning letters, there are several things worth considering.

Given what we now know about the EX30’s battery behaviour, please don’t charge your car over the advised 70%. We don’t need another EX30 BBQ.

Driving a vehicle with an active safety recall and ignoring manufacturer guidance could affect your ability to claim in the event of an incident. 

Volvo is monitoring your charging behaviour. The letter makes clear that Volvo has access to diagnostic data showing how the vehicle is being charged. This is worth being aware of, both from a liability perspective and a data privacy one.

If the battery fails and you have been charging above 70%, Volvo has now put you on notice — in writing — that it intends to use that against you. That is an extraordinary position for a manufacturer that, 5 months later, is yet to “fix” a single car (please correct us, we’d love to be proved wrong and know that Volvo have actually managed to fix one!)

Are you considering an EX30?

Check the recall status of any EX30 you are considering purchasing before you sign anything. You can check this here All you need is the registration number. Be aware that a very high proportion of 2024 extended range EX30s are subject to the recall. We’re not making this up, just check the Volvo Selekt website and look for 2024 

If the vehicle is subject to Safety Recall R/2025/559 and the battery modules have not been replaced, the dealer is not legally permitted to sell it to you. If they tell you it is “safe to sell” with the charging restriction in place, you now know what Volvo’s own letters say about that.

If you have already purchased an EX30 without being told about the recall, you have strong grounds to reject it. We have covered your rights in detail in our previous articles — links below.

Volvo needs to be more transparent with owners

We have contacted Volvo UK PR for comment on this article. We will update this article when we receive a response.

The central question is a simple one. If the Volvo EX30 is safe to sell, safe to drive, and safe to own with the 70% charging restriction in place — why is Volvo sending letters warning of fire risk, monitoring owners’ charging behaviour, and pre-emptively voiding warranties? More importantly for owners, when will their car be fixed so they can use the battery capacity they paid for?

You deserve a straight answer.

Read More

• Volvo is illegally selling recalled EX30s to unsuspecting buyers
• Your rights: Rejecting a Volvo EX30 on PCP when it won’t charge above 70
• The Volvo EX30 battery recall — everything you need to know
• All our EX30 Battery coverage (Volvo EX30 category page)

Credits

• “Jesus” on Reddit for allowing us to use the redacted letter
• “John” our logistics contact, it seems that word spreads fast when drivers are hauling around dangerous EVs

Let’s hear from you

Have you received one of these warning letters? Have you experienced a battery issue with your EX30? Let us know in the comments below.

We’ve reproduced the full letter below

Dear Sir/Madam

IMPORTANT – VEHICLE SAFETY RECALL RISK OF FIRE DUE TO CONTINUED OVERCHARGING

Model: Volvo Registration Number: [redacted]

We have written to you previously regarding a potential safety concern with a small number of EX30s Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance. We understand from our records that you are the current registered keeper of a vehicle with the registration detailed above. Our diagnostic data from your vehicle shows that the safety guidance regarding limiting the battery charge level has not been followed on one or more occasion.

Investigations have identified a potential hardware issue within the High Voltage Battery, which in very rare cases could cause the battery to overheat when charged above 70%. In the worst-case scenario this could lead to a possible fire within the high voltage battery. Previous communications sent to you have advised you not to charge above 70%. Volvo Cars will contact your Volvo retailer who will update you when replacement battery modules are available.

Important Based on data obtained for the above vehicle, we can see that this vehicle continues to be charged to over 70%. This limit is for your safety and that of others and we must stress that it is very important that it is followed to avoid the possibility of a fire within the high voltage battery. In the case of an incident a failure to follow this guidance could be taken into account when considering liability.

Please set the maximum charge limit to 70% immediately by following the instructions below. If you are unsure how to do this or require assistance, please contact the Volvo Customer Relations Team on 01628 903 800 or your local Volvo retailer (http://www.volvocars.com/uk/dealers/car-retailers) for support.

You must comply correctly with any product safety recalls notified to you by Volvo or an authorised Volvo retailer. Failure to comply will invalidate the Warranty for any incident or claim relating to the battery in the future.

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Do not charge your battery above 70%

Set the maximum charge limit to 70%:

1. Press the vehicle symbol in the bottom bar of the infotainment screen and go to Settings.
2. Go to Charging → Select Custom option.
3. Set your charge level to maximum 70%.

Volvo Cars is confident that by limiting the battery’s maximum state of charge to 70% eliminates the risk of overheating, whilst a permanent solution is being developed. The safety of our customers and road users is our top priority and we take this seriously and safely. Following discussions with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), they have recommended that the following precautions should also be followed:

• Do not leave your vehicle unattended whilst charging within buildings or covered areas.
• If you see any vehicle warnings in the car or app during or after charging seek assistance (via Volvo Assist by calling 0800 777 116 or Volvo Customer Relations by calling 01628 903 800).

Monitoring This letter is being sent to you in accordance with the Code of Practice on Safety Defects, as agreed between the Department for Transport and the representative Trade Associations and in compliance with the General Product Safety Regulations 2005.

This Safety Recall is being monitored by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) who are the government agency responsible for these matters.

If you have any questions If you have any questions regarding this notification, please contact the Volvo Customer Relations Team on 01628 903 800 or locate the nearest Volvo retailer at http://www.volvocars.com/uk/dealers/car-retailers.

Your safety and continued satisfaction with your Volvo are very important to us. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but stress that your co-operation in ensuring that the maximum charge limit is set to 70% immediately is needed. We appreciate your ongoing patience and trust whilst a permanent solution is developed. Please be assured that Volvo Cars remains committed to putting your safety above everything else.

If you are not the owner or are not responsible for the vehicle, please forward the content of this letter to the new owner or the person who is responsible as soon as possible. If this is not possible, please kindly notify us immediately so we can update our records to ensure the risk of a possible fire within the high voltage battery is minimised.

Yours sincerely

Phil Moody Head of UK Customer Care