Owners of certain plug-in hybrid models from Volvo need to beware of a problem inside the high-voltage battery that may cause the battery modules to overheat and short circuit.
Said short circuit in the high-voltage battery can create a fire risk, even when the vehicle is parked and turned off, according to a recall notice posted by Transport Canada.
Affected models include the T8 Recharge variant of the 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60 and XC90 as well as the 2020-2021 S90. The good news is that the recall applies only to a relatively small number of units in Canada—585, to be exact.
Photo: Dominic Boucher
Volvo will soon contact owners and ask them to take their vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the high-voltage battery module(s), then install an advanced diagnostic software that will monitor the high-voltage battery and warn them if it detects a problem. In this scenario, replacing the affected battery module(s) will prove essential.
As a precaution, the company advises not to charge the vehicles until the recall repairs have been completed, depriving owners of the ability to drive in pure electric mode and save gas as much as possible, which is arguably the primary purpose of plug-in hybrids.
Last fall, the same S60, S90, V60, XC60 and XC90 from the 2020 model year were part of another recall, this one involving a brake pedal defect that may reduce braking power. Again, however, the number of affected units in Canada (85) was very limited.
