Volvo Recalls 9,872 EX30 EVs Over Head Restraints That Could Detach in a Crash

Volvo is recalling nearly 10,000 electric vehicles because a head restraint cushion may detach in a severe crash, increasing the risk of injury, according to a recall report published on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website on October 9 and covered by USA Today on October 20. The recall affects 9,872 vehicles: 8,770 EX30 models and 1,102 EX30 Cross Country models.

The affected models are the 2025-2026 Volvo EX30 and the 2026 Volvo EX30 Cross Country. The defect involves insufficient fastening of the head restraint cushion, which Volvo said could detach under certain circumstances, including a high-speed crash involving impacts from multiple directions. Volvo has not received any reports of injuries or fatalities related to the issue, according to the report.

Owner notification letters are scheduled to begin November 30, sent in phases, and vehicle identification numbers became searchable on NHTSA's recall website on October 9. Owners can check their VIN now rather than waiting for a letter — a head restraint that stays put in a crash is not a component worth gambling on, and the fix is handled through Volvo dealers.