BYD recalling 97,000 top-selling EVs on steering component fault, says regulator

SHANGHAI: BYD has informed the Chinese regulator it is recalling nearly 97,000 electric vehicles (EVs) for a manufacturing fault involving a steering control unit that could lead to fire risks, the market regulator said on Sunday.

The Chinese automaker is recalling Dolphin and Yuan Plus (sold as Atto 3 overseas) EVs manufactured in China between November 2022 and December 2023, according to a statement from the State Administration for Market Regulation.

BYD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The company would ask its dealers to install a physical fix in the recalled cars, the statement added.

It did not elaborate if any of the affected EVs were exported.

Dolphin and Yuan Plus were BYD's two top-selling models in 2023, which in total accounted for 26% of its 3 million cars sold in the year, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

The recall is a rare one by BYD of its pure electric and plug-in hybrid cars as the Chinese company grew rapidly to become the world's biggest seller of such vehicles.

It recalled a small batch of Tang plug-in hybrids in 2022 due to a defect in the battery pack that could cause fires.