BYD recalls over 115,000 vehicles for design, battery safety flaws

Owners of electric vehicles stand to benefit as China’s top automaker BYD Co Ltd (BYD) takes action to correct safety issues in more than 115,000 cars. The move aims to restore confidence in EV reliability and safety in an increasingly crowded market.

BYD has filed the plan with the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) to recall two separate model lines. The first covers 44,535 vehicles in the Tang series built between March 2015 and July 2017, which may suffer from component design flaws that could cause abnormal function in the drive system.

The second covers 71,248 Yuan Pro fully electric vehicles produced between February 2021 and August 2022, in which improper battery installation might compromise safety.

In a statement, SAMR said the defects “may affect vehicle function or pose safety risk.” BYD did not immediately comment. The company has previously recalled vehicles for other safety faults. In January this year, it recalled 6,843 Fangchengbao Bao 5 plug-in hybrids over fire risk.

In September 2024, BYD pulled back nearly 97,000 Dolphin and Yuan Plus EVs due to a steering-control unit fault that could lead to fire.

Some industry watchers welcome the decision as a sign of transparency. “A large recall can pause and recalibrate trust,” said one analyst not authorised to speak publicly. At the same time, the recall comes as BYD faces slower growth at home amid rising competition and inventory pressure.

By acting proactively, BYD may limit reputational damage and signal to overseas markets that it takes safety seriously. Still, the scale of the recall underscores that rapid growth can bring manufacturing and design risks.

Consumers with the affected models should contact BYD or their dealer for instructions. The cost of the remedy will be borne by the manufacturer, according to the regulator. Meanwhile, BYD’s global ambitions may be tested by how well it manages this issue in the coming months.

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