Volvo’s Chinese manufacturer recalls nearly 15,000 XC70 vehicles over half-shaft defect
Geely’s subsidiary, Zhejiang Haoqing Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd., a key manufacturer of Volvo vehicles in China, has announced a recall of 14,768 domestically produced all-wheel-drive XC70 cars due to a potential safety hazard involving the left rear half-shaft. The recall plan was filed with China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR).
The affected vehicles were manufactured between May 7, 2025, and December 22, 2025. According to the recall notice (Recall ID: S2026M0016V), a design and manufacturing flaw has led to an adaptability deviation in the left rear half-shaft. In extreme circumstances, this deviation could cause the half-shaft to detach from the rear drive motor, posing a significant safety risk.
To address the issue, Zhejiang Haoqing Automobile Manufacturing Co., Ltd. will authorize Volvo dealers to inspect the affected vehicles. If an adaptability deviation in the left rear half-shaft is identified, the component will be replaced free of charge. For other vehicles within the recall scope, an improved half-shaft circlip will be installed. Additionally, during the repair process, the lubricating oil within the rear drive motor will be cleaned and reapplied to ensure the complete elimination of the safety hazard.
About Volvo XC70
Positioned as a luxury D-segment SUV, the Volvo XC70 slots between its XC60 and XC90 series SUVs and is built on the SMA Super Hybrid Architecture. The XC70 was launched on Sept 26th, 2025.
The new XC70’s super hybrid system comprises a 1.5T plug-in hybrid specific engine, P1+P2+P4 three electric motors, and a 3-speed DHT transmission. The 1.5T engine utilises Miller cycle and high-pressure direct injection technology, delivering a maximum power of 120 kW and peak torque of 255 Nm, with a thermal efficiency of 44%. The 60 kW P1 motor is responsible for power generation and starting, while the 107 kW P2 front axle motor serves as the XC70’s primary drive motor. The 156 kW rear axle motor acts as an auxiliary drive, providing all-wheel-drive capability when needed.
An innovation of the system is its 3-speed DHT hybrid transmission. This transmission allows the 1.5T engine to engage in direct drive as early as 20 km/h. This is an improvement over typical single-gear plug-in hybrid solutions, which generally require vehicle speeds to exceed 60 km/h before the engine can engage in direct drive.
