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Problems with the high-voltage battery: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 65 faults with the high-voltage battery in 24 engines and 34 cars, affecting 97 models of car in our database. The most important by severity and frequency: overheating and water ingress in the high-voltage battery (Hybrid versions) (Citroën C5 Aircross), fire risk in the plug-in hybrid high-voltage battery (recall 25SC4) (Ford Kuga III) and risk of overheating and fire of the high-voltage battery on plug-in hybrid versions (2019-2022) (Opel Grandland I).

Documented faults
65
59 of high or critical severity
Engines
24
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
97
car generations in our database
Garage repair
No data
No reliable published costs

5 sourcesHow we work

How it works and why it fails

High-voltage battery (hybrids and EVs)

The high-voltage battery powers electric and plug-in hybrid cars and supplies the hybrids. Its capacity falls slowly with cycles and years, and some batches of cells or modules have had manufacturing defects with a risk of overheating, which manufacturers have corrected with recalls.

What to do

Use the VIN to check whether your car has outstanding battery campaigns, and follow the charging limits the manufacturer specifies in the meantime. When buying a used EV, ask for a battery state of health (SoH) report and for the warranty that remains.

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults with the high-voltage battery. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems with the high-voltage battery by engine

From most to least important (severity × frequency). Each page details the affected versions and years, symptoms, cost and how to check for it.

  1. 1High severityFrequency: CommonFord Mustang Mach-EHigh-voltage battery contactors overheating: loss of powerYes: the main contactors of the Mach-E's high-voltage battery can overheat with repeated rapid charging and hard acceleration, and the car may lose traction or fail to start. The 2022 software update was not enough, and in December 2023 Ford moved to replace the contactor box.
  2. 2Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)Cells with a damaged cathode in the high-voltage battery (fire risk)Yes: in September 2022 Safety Gate listed a BMW recall for a manufacturing defect in the high-voltage battery of the iX, i4 and i7 built from 5 July 2021 to 8 July 2022. A supplier may have damaged a cathode plate and a fragment may have entered a cell; the defective modules are replaced, and BMW asked owners not to charge or drive the car until then.
  3. 3Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW i3 / Mini Cooper SEDefective cells in the high-voltage battery of the i3 from 2018 to 2021Yes: in October 2022 BMW launched a recall of the i3 built from 26/10/2018 to 31/08/2021 because a production defect in the winding of the cells' internal foils can overheat the modules and cause a fire. The defective module is replaced.
  4. 4Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat 500eTraction battery fire risk (2023 and 2024 recalls)Fiat has recalled the 500e over traction battery fire risk on two occasions: April 2023 (contaminated materials, built from October 2020 to July 2021) and 2024 (negative terminal clamp not tightened properly). Both are precautionary recalls.
  5. 5Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalHyundai-Kia eléctrico (Ioniq, Kona, e-Niro, Soul EV)Traction battery: fire risk from defective cells or insufficient supervisionHyundai and Kia have recalled their electric cars because of the battery: Ioniq (2019-2022), Kona (2018-2023), e-Niro (2020-2022) and Soul EV (2014-2018). The supervision software may fail to detect cell instability or short circuits in time, creating a fire risk.
  6. 6Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes EQA / EQBInternal short circuit in the high-voltage battery: fire risk, software update and battery replacementYes: Mercedes has launched two recalls over a possible internal short circuit in a battery cell of the EQA (and EQB), with a risk of fire. The 2025 one updated the battery software; the 2026 one plans to replace the battery. In the meantime, Mercedes recommends not charging above 80% and parking outdoors.
  7. 7Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes EQCHigh-voltage battery: housing with insufficient corrosion protection and a poorly tightened cell moduleMercedes recalled two batches of EQCs over manufacturing defects in the battery: 1,463 cars built in 2019 with the housing exposed to corrosion and moisture, and 5 built between May and July 2021 with a loosely tightened cell module. In both cases the risk identified is fire.
  8. 8Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalPorsche TaycanHigh-voltage battery cell modules with a risk of short circuit and fireYes: several recalls (ARA4, ARA5, ARB5, ARB6 and APB5) cover Taycans built between July 2018 and March 2024 over manufacturing defects in cell modules that can cause an internal short circuit and a fire. The battery is inspected and the affected modules are replaced.
  9. 9Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault ZoeRisk of internal short circuit in the traction battery (recalls)Renault has recalled the Zoe three times (2020, 2022 and 2024) because of manufacturing defects in specific batches of the battery that can cause an internal short circuit and risk of fire. The known numbers are small compared with the more than 420,000 Zoe built.
  10. 10Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40)Fire risk from overheating of the high-voltage battery in the XC40 Recharge (2020–2022)Safety Gate (EU) published alert SR/01964/26 on 10 July 2026: the high-voltage battery of Volvo XC40s built between 2020 and 2022 can overheat and cause a fire (code R10388). The notice does not distinguish between the plug-in hybrid and the fully electric version.
  11. 11Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electricDamaged cells in the high-voltage battery (January 2021 recall)In January 2021, 213 e-up!, Citigo e iV and Mii electric cars were recalled worldwide (112 in Germany) because of damaged cells that could cause a short circuit and a risk of fire; the remedy was to replace the high-voltage battery.
  12. 12Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMEB (ID.3, ID.4, ID.7, ID.Buzz, Enyaq, Born, Q4 e-tron)Faulty modules in the high-voltage battery with fire riskYes: in March 2026 Volkswagen and Cupra recalled around 74,600 ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID. Buzz and around 19,500 Born built between 2022 and 2024, because some battery modules can overheat while charging and, in the worst case, catch fire. It is fixed with software and by replacing modules.
  13. 13High severityFrequency: OccasionalDacia SpringSerious traction battery alerts and their management (BMS)Fiches-auto.fr counts about 9 serious traction battery alerts in 73 Spring testimonies, including faults a year into ownership and cars off the road for weeks in the workshop; Autoheute.de adds that the Spring has no active battery cooling.
  14. 14High severityFrequency: Occasional1.5 VC-Turbo e-PowerSafe mode due to battery controller calibration (loss of propulsion)Nissan recalled 5,661 Qashqai e-Power cars built between July 2025 and May 2026: a battery controller fault can trigger a protection mode that stops the car. It is fixed free of charge with a software update.
  15. 15High severityFrequency: OccasionalStellantis e-CMP (e-208, Corsa-e, ë-C4…)Loss of traction from a high-voltage system cut-out (‘electric traction fault’ warning)In 2022 Stellantis recalled the 2019-2020 e-208, e-2008, DS 3 E-Tense and Corsa-e because a high-voltage circuit safety system, set too sensitively, could cut the power and leave the car without traction.
  16. 16High severityFrequency: OccasionalStellantis e-CMP (e-208, Corsa-e, ë-C4…)Traction battery control calibration: motor cut-out from faulty readings (2022)A faulty software calibration of the battery control unit could misread the cell voltage or temperature and trigger an emergency motor cut-out. It affected Stellantis and Toyota electric cars built in 2022.
  17. 17High severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40)Battery management software and high-voltage contactors causing power loss on the Polestar 2Wikipedia records a recall of all Polestar 2 cars in October 2020 for a software fault that cut power while driving, and Bumper cites another, covering almost 2,400 cars from 2021, for the contactors in the battery control module, resolved with an update at the workshop. Bumper adds reports from UK owners showing the 'Propulsion System Service Required' warning.
  18. 18Critical severityFrequency: RareBMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)Protective pads for the high-voltage battery not fitted (2021 i4)In January 2022 Safety Gate listed a recall for BMW i4s built from 15/9/2021 to 30/11/2021 because protective pads for the high-voltage battery could be missing. In a serious side impact the battery could be damaged and cause a short circuit, with a greater risk of fire.
  19. 19Critical severityFrequency: RareMercedes EQA / EQBDisplaced pyrofuse housing: possible pyrotechnic fuse failure and loss of powerIn 2024 Mercedes recalled 5,750 vehicles, including the EQA and EQB, built between 18 June and 18 July 2024: the pyrofuse housing may shift and damage cables, and the pyrofuse could fail to operate in a crash or cause a high-voltage fault with a sudden loss of power.
  20. 20Critical severityFrequency: RareTesla Model 3 / Model YTotal failure of the traction battery in the Tesla Model 3 and Model YThere are isolated cases of a traction battery being beyond repair in the Model 3: fiches-auto.fr cites a Long Range with 70,000 km and a little over four years old whose battery, valued at around €14,000, was replaced under warranty. Aviloo's measurements show normal degradation in the vast majority of units.Repair: €14,000
  21. 21Critical severityFrequency: RareTesla Model S / Model XHigh-voltage battery or battery management (BMS) faultNormal degradation is low: Tesla publishes an average loss of 12% at 320,000 km. Real battery faults are rare, with a few BMS cases and replacements before 250,000 km cited by fiches-auto.fr.
  22. 22Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda IMA híbridoHigh-voltage IMA battery degradation and IMA warning light onThe IMA's nickel-metal hydride battery loses capacity over the years and ends up turning on the IMA warning light; the car can keep driving on the petrol engine. The manufacturer's warranty covered the hybrid components for 8 years, a period that has already expired on practically all Insights, Civic Hybrids, Jazz Hybrids and CR-Zs.
  23. 23Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMitsubishi PHEVLoss of traction battery (high-voltage) capacityAccording to gebrauchtwagenberater.de, the Outlander PHEV's traction battery can drop to around 80% of its capacity within one or two years because of a software fault, apparently mainly in 2019. Autofácil cites a Geotab study pointing to faster degradation in the 2018 Outlander. No costs have been published.
  24. 24High severityFrequency: RareHyundai-Kia E-GMP (Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, EV6)Faulty traction battery module or cellsOn some Ioniq 5 and EV6 the battery management system detects a faulty module or cell block, limits power or immobilises the car, and the repair requires replacing the module. These are isolated testimonies from one listing, with no campaign or study behind them.
  25. 25High severityFrequency: RareMG eléctrico (MG4, ZS EV, Marvel R)High-voltage system fault warning and loss of propulsionIsolated cases have been documented of MG4 and ZS EV cars going into limp mode or losing propulsion with high-voltage system warnings. They are scattered testimonies, with no official diagnosis or campaign.
  26. 26High severityFrequency: RareRenault-Nissan CMF-EV (Mégane E-Tech, Ariya)Mégane E-Tech traction battery: warnings, range loss and immobilisationThe fiches-auto.fr entry records 11 reports of traction battery problems on the Mégane E-Tech, including warnings, very reduced range, unbalanced modules and a few cases of cars immobilised. It is a sample of owners, without a degradation study or a recall that confirms it.
  27. 27High severityFrequency: Rare1.8 HybridDegradation or premature failure of the hybrid batteryIt is a component that generally lasts very well (there are units above 300,000 km), but there are isolated cases of premature failure, mainly on the Auris Hybrid, between 77,000 and 80,000 km, with repairs of around €2,800-3,000. We have not found a manufacturer campaign for this.Repair: €2,800–€3,000
  28. 28High severityFrequency: RareToyota bZ4XHigh-voltage battery control unit software fault: loss of tractionIn 2026 Toyota recalled the bZ4X (bZ in the US) built between 2025 and 2026 because of a software fault in the high-voltage battery control unit, which can cut the traction system while driving. It is fixed with an update. We have found no confirmed European campaign.
  29. 29Medium severityFrequency: RareBMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)BMU battery management software on the iX3 that delays high-voltage circuit dischargeIn 2021 BMW recalled the iX3 built from 22/7/2019 to 6/5/2021 because, due to an intermittent software fault in the battery management unit (BMU), after a very serious accident the overvoltage could damage the 12 V network and disable the emergency call, the warnings and the lights. It is fixed by reprogramming the unit in about 40 minutes.
  30. 30Medium severityFrequency: RareVolvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40)Faulty high-voltage coolant heater (HVCH) in the first Polestar 2 production runPolestar launched a service campaign in November 2020 to replace the high-voltage coolant heater, which warms the cabin and the battery, on the first production run: 138 cars in the UK according to Driving Electric.
  31. 31Low severityFrequency: RareVW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electricHigh-voltage battery discharged after a long period parkedGebrauchtwagenberater.de reports that some e-up! cars were found with a discharged high-voltage battery after long periods parked: a software fault allowed the 12 V battery to discharge, and the high-voltage battery then had to recharge it; it is corrected with an update.

Engines with faults with the high-voltage battery

Problems with the high-voltage battery by car

Faults documented on specific cars, which occur with any engine. From most to least important.

  1. 1Critical severityFrequency: CommonCitroën C5 AircrossOverheating and water ingress in the high-voltage battery (Hybrid versions)The plug-in Hybrid versions of the C5 Aircross built between January 2020 and the end of 2022 have been the subject of several successive manufacturer campaigns over a risk of the high-voltage battery overheating and, in another related campaign, over possible water ingress into its casing.
  2. 2Critical severityFrequency: CommonFord Kuga IIIFire risk in the plug-in hybrid high-voltage battery (recall 25SC4)The cells of the Kuga PHEV's high-voltage battery (made by Samsung SDI) can suffer an internal short circuit because of a damaged separator, with a risk of power loss and fire; Ford has recalled units built between August 2019 and November 2023.
  3. 3Critical severityFrequency: CommonOpel Grandland IRisk of overheating and fire of the high-voltage battery on plug-in hybrid versions (2019-2022)The plug-in hybrid versions of the Grandland X built between 2019 and 2022 have been the subject of several successive campaigns - first a software update and then physical replacement - over the risk of overheating and fire of the high-voltage battery.
  4. 4Critical severityFrequency: CommonPeugeot 3008 IIBattery overheating risk in Hybrid versionsThe manufacturer has called in around 43,000 Peugeot 3008 II Hybrid and Hybrid4 cars built between 2019 and 2022 to be checked at the dealer for a risk of the high-voltage battery overheating.
  5. 5Critical severityFrequency: CommonPeugeot 508 IIHigh-voltage battery safety campaigns (Hybrid version)The Hybrid version of the Peugeot 508 II has had three separate safety campaigns for the high-voltage battery between 2021 and 2024 (short circuit, water ingress and a manufacturing defect), all with a risk of overheating or fire.
  6. 6Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q7 4MOverheating of the high-voltage battery cell modules when charging (plug-in hybrids)In October 2025 Audi recalled 18,652 Q7, Q8 and A8 vehicles with a high-voltage battery (built from August 2019 to July 2024) over a fire risk when charging. The German press links it to the plug-in hybrids, and a software update fixes it.
  7. 7Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAudi Q8Overheating of the high-voltage battery cell modules when charging (plug-in hybrids)In October 2025 Audi recalled 18,652 Q7, Q8 and A8 vehicles with a high-voltage battery (built from August 2019 to July 2024) over a fire risk when charging. The German press links it to the plug-in hybrids, and a software update fixes it.
  8. 8Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW i3BMW i3 high-voltage battery recall because of fire riskAccording to the fiches-auto.fr fiche, the i3 battery was the subject of a recall in October 2022 because of a fire risk; the fiche does not detail the scope, and we have not been able to verify it from an official source.
  9. 9Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW i8 I12Contamination in the i8's high-voltage battery cells (2020 recall)In December 2020 BMW recalled the i8 because the high-voltage battery cells may be contaminated with impurities, creating a risk of short circuit and fire. Autocar counts it among the model's five recalls; the DVSA describes battery testing and cell replacement where necessary.
  10. 10Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X5 G05Impurities in the high-voltage battery cells of the plug-in hybrid X5The plug-in hybrid X5 built between January 2020 and February 2021 had a campaign over production impurities in the high-voltage battery cells: they can cause an internal short circuit with the battery fully charged and, with it, a fire. The battery is tested and the cell modules that need it are replaced.
  11. 11Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalCupra LeónDefective fuse in the high-voltage battery of the Cupra Leon e-Hybrid (risk of short circuit and fire)Yes: Seat recalled 16,210 Cupra Leon and Formentor e-Hybrids built between 10 October 2020 and 28 February 2022, because a defective fuse can cause an electric arc and a fire in the event of a short circuit. The fix is to install an insulating sheet.
  12. 12Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalKia Optima IVFault in the high-voltage battery management system of the plug-in hybrid OptimaYes: the British DVSA recorded in 2018 a recall (reference 181019) of 398 plug-in hybrid Optimas built between October 2015 and September 2017: the high-voltage battery may intermittently disconnect the electric motor while driving, causing a sudden loss of power. The battery management system is replaced.
  13. 13Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalLand Rover Range Rover Evoque IIFire risk in the high-voltage traction battery of plug-in hybridsIn 2026 the British DVSA published a recall because the high-voltage traction battery of some plug-in hybrid Evoques has overheated, with smoke or fire under the rear of the car. The root cause is not yet known; batteries are being inspected and those at risk replaced.
  14. 14Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz GLA H247Risk of short circuit and fire in the high-voltage battery (plug-in hybrid version)On the GLA 250 e (plug-in hybrid) built between 20 February 2021 and 23 January 2024, a short circuit in the high-voltage battery can cause a fire, according to a manufacturer campaign reported by a French reliability site.Repair: €0
  15. 15Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Zafira LifeFaulty high-voltage wiring harness with fire risk (March–April 2022)In October 2022 Opel recalled 203 vehicles (Zafira Life and Vivaro) built between 15 March and 30 April 2022, because an unsuitable high-voltage harness could overheat and burn out the contacts of a connector, with a risk of fire (recall O7P).
  16. 16Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalPorsche TaycanInsufficient sealing of the high-voltage battery: liquid ingress (recall APB2)Yes: the 2023 recall APB2 affects Taycans built between September 2022 and August 2023 (4,755 cars in the UK), because insufficient sealing can let liquid into the high-voltage battery. It is checked for leaks and the battery is replaced if necessary; the press links it to a fire risk.
  17. 17Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalRenault SymbiozPoor contact between busbar and relay in the traction battery: campaign 0FDZIn October 2026 a campaign (0FDZ) was notified on Safety Gate (SR/02849/26) for an assembly error in the traction battery: poor contact between busbar and relay can heat the connection and the cells, with a risk of fire. It affects the Symbioz built between 1 December 2025 and 6 February 2026.
  18. 18Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalSeat León IVRisk of short circuit and fire from an incorrectly sized fuse in the Leon e-Hybrid (2020-2022)Yes: on the Leon e-Hybrid (plug-in hybrid) built between 2020 and 2022, insufficient insulation in the high-voltage battery junction box may cause a short circuit, with a risk of fire. Seat fits a protective insulating sheet as the fix under an official campaign.Repair: €0
  19. 19Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Multivan T7High-voltage system fuse on the Multivan eHybrid with insufficient extinguishing sandYes, on the eHybrid: in April 2022 Volkswagen recalled around 42,500 plug-in hybrids from the group (Golf, Tiguan, Passat, Arteon and T7) because the high-voltage system fuse could have too little extinguishing sand and not contain a short circuit well, with a risk of fire. Electrive includes the Multivan T7; the European alert only cites 'T7'.
  20. 20Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen Touareg IIIHybrid high-voltage battery cell modules with a fire risk when chargingThe Safety Gate lists a recall (code 93FK) of hybrid Touareg IIIs built between September 2018 and August 2024: the high-voltage battery cell modules could overheat during charging, with a risk of fire. The DVSA gives a battery management software update as the remedy.
  21. 21Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo S60 IIIRecall: overheating of the plug-in hybrid's high-voltage battery cellsVolvo has recalled around 59,271 plug-in hybrid cars built in 2020-2022, including the S60, because the high-voltage battery can overheat when fully charged, with a risk of fire. This is campaign R10312 (Safety Gate 15/2025).
  22. 22High severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C4 XFaulty software in the C4 X with a high-voltage battery: 'Ready' mode unavailable, loss of acceleration and sudden engine cut-outYes: on C4 X cars with a high-voltage battery built between 18 August 2022 and 2 March 2023, faulty software can prevent 'Ready' mode after start-up, reduce power when accelerating or cut the engine abruptly while driving. It is a recall published on Safety Gate in April 2025.
  23. 23High severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat Doblò IIIe-Doblò high-voltage battery software fault: it may lose "Ready" mode and propulsionA Safety Gate alert (SR/01455/25) covers e-Doblòs and E-Scudos built between November 2022 and February 2023 (582 vehicles in total): high-voltage battery software that does not work properly may leave the car without "Ready" mode, without propulsion, or with the motor cutting out suddenly while driving.
  24. 24High severityFrequency: OccasionalFiat Scudo IIIE-Scudo high-voltage battery software fault: it may lose «Ready» mode and drive powerA Safety Gate alert (SR/01455/25) covers electric Scudos built between 10 January and 22 February 2023, together with the e-Doblò (582 vehicles in total): faulty high-voltage battery software can leave the car without «Ready» mode, without drive power, or with the motor cutting out suddenly while driving.
  25. 25High severityFrequency: OccasionalJeep Wrangler JLDamaged cell separators in the Wrangler 4xe high-voltage batteryYes: Jeep has recalled plug-in hybrid Wranglers built since July 2020, because the high-voltage battery may have cells with damaged separators, which can end in a fire. The European alert of March 2025 runs up to November 2023, and the British campaign of 2026 up to December 2024.
  26. 26High severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Juke IIHybrid battery failure that prevents startingYes: on the hybrid versions, fiches-auto and owner opinions describe high-voltage battery faults that prevent the car from starting, and the occasional case of harsh gear changes; one owner reports on caradisiac two hybrid system failures in only 4,600 km.
  27. 27High severityFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda ElroqHigh-voltage battery protection fault that immobilises the carFiches-auto describes how the fuses, contactors or protection computers of the high-voltage battery can enter safe mode and leave the Elroq unable to drive or charge (one case involved a fuse at 7,000 km). CarWiki cites around 10 owners of the 2027 model year with faults right after charging, caused by a faulty battery controller. Repairs can take weeks while parts are awaited.
  28. 28High severityFrequency: OccasionalŠkoda EnyaqAC charging interruptions and immediate-stop warnings from the traction batterySome owners describe AC charging cutting out or being refused (including the charging flap, which sometimes does not close properly) and, separately, warnings to stop the car immediately related to the traction battery, with repairs that in one case took more than two months.
  29. 29High severityFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen ArteonRecall for the high-voltage fuse on the Arteon eHybridAccording to the fiches-auto.fr data sheet, there was a recall in April 2022 for the high-voltage fuse (2019-2022 models) and another in June 2021 for the eHybrid battery connections (2020-2021).
  30. 30Critical severityFrequency: RareBMW Serie 2 Active Tourer F45Short-circuit risk in the 225xe's high-voltage battery (January-September 2020)Yes, on the plug-in hybrid variant: BMW documented a short-circuit risk in the 225xe's high-voltage battery with cells built between 20 January and 18 September 2020, caused by a weld bead not fully removed during manufacturing.
  31. 31Critical severityFrequency: RareBMW X1 F48Risk of a short circuit in the xDrive25e high-voltage battery (January-September 2020)Yes, on the plug-in hybrid variant: BMW documented a risk of a short circuit in the high-voltage battery of the X1 xDrive25e built between January and September 2020, caused by a foreign body inside the battery pack.
  32. 32Critical severityFrequency: RareBMW X2 F39Short-circuit risk in the high-voltage battery of the X2 xDrive25e (2020)Yes, but only on the plug-in hybrid variant: the X2 xDrive25e built in 2020 was recalled because of impurities in the high-voltage battery cells that could cause a short circuit and a fire.
  33. 33High severityFrequency: RareKia Niro IHigh-voltage battery safety connector that can overheatA Safety Gate alert from May 2025 records that the contact in the high-voltage battery safety plug connector of some Niros built between July 2021 and February 2022 may develop high resistance, overheat and melt.
  34. 34Medium severityFrequency: RarePolestar 2Faulty high-voltage coolant heater (HVCH) on the first unitsThe first Polestar 2 units had a service campaign to replace the high-voltage coolant heater, which warms the cabin and the battery; in the UK it affected 138 cars.

Problems with the high-voltage battery by make

Problems with the high-voltage battery in your car

21 cars have several documented faults with the high-voltage battery. Choose yours to see only the ones that affect them, by engine and by year.

BMW 2
Citroën 1
DS 1
Kia 1
Mercedes-Benz 1
Opel 2
Peugeot 3
Polestar 1
Porsche 1
Seat 1
Škoda 3
Toyota 1
Volkswagen 1
Volvo 2

How much it costs to repair a fault with the high-voltage battery

Sorted from the most expensive repair to the cheapest. Prices in Spain including VAT (parts and labour); what each figure includes is on its page.

How we calculate costs · The most expensive repairs across all engines

Frequently asked questions

Which engines have the most faults with the high-voltage battery?

By severity and frequency, the Ford Mustang Mach-E (high-voltage battery contactors overheating: loss of power, high severity), the BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) (cells with a damaged cathode in the high-voltage battery (fire risk), critical severity), the Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) (fire risk from overheating of the high-voltage battery in the XC40 Recharge (2020–2022), critical severity), the Mercedes EQA / EQB (internal short circuit in the high-voltage battery: fire risk, software update and battery replacement, critical severity), the VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric (damaged cells in the high-voltage battery (January 2021 recall), critical severity) and the BMW i3 / Mini Cooper SE (defective cells in the high-voltage battery of the i3 from 2018 to 2021, critical severity). In total we have documented 24 engines with faults with the high-voltage battery.

Which cars have problems with the high-voltage battery?

Among those we have analysed: Citroën C5 Aircross (overheating and water ingress in the high-voltage battery (Hybrid versions)), Ford Kuga III (fire risk in the plug-in hybrid high-voltage battery (recall 25SC4)), Opel Grandland I (risk of overheating and fire of the high-voltage battery on plug-in hybrid versions (2019-2022)), Peugeot 3008 II (battery overheating risk in Hybrid versions), Peugeot 508 II (high-voltage battery safety campaigns (Hybrid version)), Audi Q7 4M (overheating of the high-voltage battery cell modules when charging (plug-in hybrids)), Audi Q8 (overheating of the high-voltage battery cell modules when charging (plug-in hybrids)) and BMW i3 (BMW i3 high-voltage battery recall because of fire risk). In total, 34 cars with documented faults with the high-voltage battery.

How much does it cost to repair a fault with the high-voltage battery?

It depends a lot on the engine or car. At a dealer, from €0 to €14,000, including VAT, based on the 4 faults with a documented cost. The most expensive is total failure of the traction battery in the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y (Tesla Model 3 / Model Y).

What symptoms does a fault with the high-voltage battery cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: gradual loss of power, the plug-in hybrid's electric range has dropped, intermittent electronic warnings or sensor faults, hybrid system fault warning light or message, sudden loss of power (limp mode) and electric charging failure or interruption.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Fiabilité Tesla Model 3 (2018-2023): 63 témoignages, problèmes connus et rappelsfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  2. Toyota Auris : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  3. Toyota Prius 3 : avis et témoignages de propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité Mercedes GLA 2 (H247, depuis 2020) : pannes et rappelsFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Seat Leon IV (seit 2020) – Bekannte Probleme & RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published 15 December 2022 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German