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

We have documented 35 faults with the high-voltage battery in 3 engines and 32 cars, affecting 42 models of car in our database. The most important by severity and frequency: battery overheating risk in Hybrid versions (Peugeot 3008 II), overheating and water ingress in the high-voltage battery (Hybrid versions) (Citroën C5 Aircross) and fire risk in the plug-in hybrid high-voltage battery (recall 25SC4) (Ford Kuga III).

Documented faults
35
32 of high or critical severity
Engines
3
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
42
car generations in our database
Garage repair
No data
No reliable published costs

9 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. 1Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  2. 2Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  3. 3High severityRareFrequency: 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

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 severityVery frequentFrequency: Very frequentPeugeot 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.
  2. 2Critical severityCommonFrequency: 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.
  3. 3Critical severityCommonFrequency: 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.
  4. 4Critical severityCommonFrequency: 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.
  5. 5Critical severityCommonFrequency: 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. 6High severityCommonFrequency: CommonNissan Leaf IAccelerated degradation of the traction battery (24 and 30 kWh)The Leaf I battery has no active cooling (air only), which speeds up ageing in hot weather and with frequent rapid charging; Nissan acknowledges this loss with a warranty that replaces modules if capacity falls below 9 of 12 bars within 5 years/100,000 km (24 kWh) or 8 years/160,000 km (30 kWh).
  7. 7Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  8. 8Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalCupra BornFire risk from defective modules in the high-voltage batteryYes: in March 2026 Cupra recalled Borns built between 7 February 2022 and 21 April 2024 (around 19,000-20,000 units worldwide, about 6,000 in Germany) because some high-voltage battery modules do not meet specification and, in very isolated cases, can overheat to the point of causing a fire.Repair: €0
  9. 9Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  10. 10Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalFiat 500eTraction battery fire risk (two campaigns: 2023 and 2024)Fiat recalled the 500e twice for fire risk in the traction battery: in April 2023 for contaminated materials in cars built between October 2020 and July 2021, and in 2024 (codes 6923/6924) for a negative terminal clamp or nut that was not tightened properly in cars built up to November 2023 (Fiat) or January 2024 (Abarth).
  11. 11Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalKia Niro IFire risk from a battery software fault in the Kia e-NiroYes: in 2026 Kia recalled e-Niro cars built between May 2020 and March 2022 because the battery software did not detect cell anomalies in time, with a risk of overheating and fire while the car is parked or charging.
  12. 12Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: 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 severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalKia Soul IIFire risk in the Soul EV: the high-voltage battery management system may not detect an abnormal voltageIt affects only the Soul EV: a 2024 Safety Gate alert (Kia campaign 231118) covers 22,915 cars built between June 2014 and November 2018, whose battery management system may fail to detect an abnormal cell voltage before a short circuit, with a risk of fire.
  14. 14Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: 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 severityOccasionalFrequency: 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
  16. 16Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen ID.3Fire risk from defective modules in the high-voltage batteryYes: in March 2026 Volkswagen recalled ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID.Buzz models built between 24 June 2023 and 23 August 2024 (around 75,000 VW Group units worldwide) because some high-voltage battery modules do not meet their specification and, in very isolated cases, can overheat to the point of causing a fire.Repair: €0
  17. 17Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolkswagen ID.4Fire risk from defective modules in the high-voltage batteryYes: in March 2026 Volkswagen recalled the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and ID.Buzz built between 24 June 2023 and 23 August 2024 (around 75,000 VW Group units worldwide) because some high-voltage battery modules do not meet their specification and, in very isolated cases, can overheat to the point of causing a fire.Repair: €0
  18. 18Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: 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).
  19. 19Critical severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalVolvo XC40High-voltage battery overheating on Recharge versionsYes: Volvo recalled XC40 Recharge models (plug-in hybrid and electric) built between 2020 and 2022 because the high-voltage battery can overheat and cause a fire, whether driving, charging or parked. The alert is registered in Safety Gate (EU) and the repair is free at the official network.Repair: €0
  20. 20High severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  21. 21High severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  22. 22High severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  23. 23High severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalHyundai IoniqTraction battery: risk of short circuit and fire (Ioniq Electric)An EU Safety Gate alert (reference SR/01576/26) states that the high-voltage battery of the Ioniq Electric built between 2019 and 2022 can suffer voltage differences between cells that increase the risk of a short circuit and fire. Fiches-auto.fr also records an earlier campaign, from July 2021, for cars built between May 2018 and March 2020 because of a similar risk.
  24. 24High severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  25. 25High severityOccasionalFrequency: 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.
  26. 26High severityOccasionalFrequency: 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).
  27. 27Critical severityRareFrequency: 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.
  28. 28Critical severityRareFrequency: 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.
  29. 29Critical severityRareFrequency: RareRenault ZoeRisk of an internal short circuit in the traction battery (2020, 2022 and 2024 campaigns)Renault has recalled the Zoe three times (2020, 2022 and 2024) over manufacturing defects in very specific batches of the traction battery that can cause an internal short circuit and a fire risk; the known numbers are minimal compared with the more than 420,000 Zoe built.
  30. 30Critical severityRareFrequency: RareTesla Model 3Isolated failures of the traction battery, electric motor and chargingfiches-auto.fr documents isolated cases of Model 3 owners with a completely dead traction battery (70,000 km and just over 4 years, replacement €14,000), an electric motor failure that left the car immobilised, and occasional problems charging or unlocking the charging port. These are minority cases, not a widespread pattern.Repair: €13,000–€15,000
  31. 31Critical severityRareFrequency: RareVolvo EX30High-voltage battery overheating in some carsVolvo has warned that the high-voltage battery of some EX30 versions, including the long-range one, can overheat and catch fire; according to Wikipedia, it asked owners not to charge above 70% and not to charge unsupervised indoors. Confirm by chassis number whether your car is included.
  32. 32Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalDacia SpringSerious traction battery alerts and its management electronics (BMS)Around 8-9 of the 73 reports collected by fiches-auto.fr on the Spring mention serious alerts from the traction battery or its electronic management system (BMS), without the source specifying which component is failing.

Problems with the high-voltage battery by make

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 Honda IMA híbrido (high-voltage IMA battery degradation and IMA warning light on, medium severity), the Mitsubishi PHEV (loss of traction battery (high-voltage) capacity, medium severity) and the 1.8 Hybrid (degradation or premature failure of the hybrid battery, high severity).

Which cars have problems with the high-voltage battery?

Among those we have analysed: Peugeot 3008 II (battery overheating risk in Hybrid versions), 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 508 II (high-voltage battery safety campaigns (Hybrid version)), Nissan Leaf I (accelerated degradation of the traction battery (24 and 30 kWh)), BMW i3 (BMW i3 high-voltage battery recall because of fire risk) and Cupra Born (fire risk from defective modules in the high-voltage battery). In total, 32 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 €15,000, including VAT, based on the 8 faults with a documented cost. The most expensive is isolated failures of the traction battery, electric motor and charging (Tesla Model 3).

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

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: hybrid system fault warning light or message, gradual loss of power, engine stalls or cuts out while driving, 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. 1.Fiabilité Tesla Model 3 (2018-2023): pannes et témoignagesfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. 2.Toyota Auris : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  3. 3.Toyota Prius 3 : avis et témoignages de propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  4. 4.Cupra verschickt jetzt Rückrufschreiben an Halter des Modells BornPresseportal · General press · published 26 April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. 5.Fiabilité Mercedes GLA 2 (H247, depuis 2020) : pannes et rappelsFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. 6.Seat Leon IV (seit 2020) – Bekannte Probleme & RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published 15 December 2022 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. 7.VW und Cupra rufen E-Autos in die Werkstatt: Brandgefahrad-hoc-news.de · General press · published 24 March 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. 8.Recall zbog opasnosti od požara: opoziv Volvo XC40 odnosi se i na hrvatske kupceAutomania.hr · General press · published September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in another language
  9. 9.Volvo-XC40-Rückruf wegen Brandgefahr: Hochvoltbatterie kann überhitzenPresseportal · General press · published 15 July 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German