Class Action Lawsuit Says 2020-2022 Volvo Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles Suffer from Battery Defect

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A proposed class action lawsuit alleges a half dozen 2020-2022 Volvo plug-in hybrid vehicle models are at risk of experiencing a short circuit within their high-voltage battery module when the battery is fully charged and the car is parked, posing a fire risk. 

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The 23-page Volvo lawsuit notes that the automaker in March 2025 recalled nearly 73,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles worldwide, including 7,483 in the United States, due to the potential for “thermal runaway” to occur under certain conditions, which can cause a fire. In particular, the case states that the short-circuit risk stems from the fact that the Volvo batteries are located in the transmission tunnel in the center of the vehicle instead of under the trunk floor. 

Per the filing, the battery defect is a result of Volvo’s “improper engineering, design, or manufacturing” of the battery modules at issue, with the recall impacting the following vehicle models:

According to the suit, the Volvo recall—which includes an inspection to catch any cell deviations within the battery module, a software update to bolster battery module monitoring and, in the event issues are found, a replacement battery module—will cost drivers hours of their time, plus towing expenses, and leave them burdened with devalued hybrids. 

“In all, Defendants’ recall amounts to tens of thousands of hours and dollars needlessly taken from Plaintiff and other Class Vehicle owners,” the lawsuit contends.

The Volvo battery lawsuit looks to cover all individuals in the United States who bought or leased a recalled Volvo 2020-2021 S90; 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60 or XC90; or 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicle.

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