BYD Recalls Nearly 89,000 Plug-in Hybrids Over Battery Safety Concerns

BYD will issue an immediate recall of 88,981 plug-in hybrid vehicles due to a potential battery-related safety issue, according to an announcement from China's market regulator, news agency Reuters has reported. The action follows just weeks after the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer's largest recall to date. The Qin PLUS DM-i vehicles impacted were manufactured between January 2021 and September 2023 and "may have limited power output due to problems with the consistency of power battery packs during the production process", the notice stated. 

Under extreme circumstances, the vehicles will be unable to operate in pure electric mode, the market regulator indicated, noting that the recall followed a defect investigation it had commenced.

Growing Quality Concerns Amid Sales Decline

BYD, which is confronting declining sales and profitability, has now recalled in excess of 210,000 vehicles throughout this year, including nearly 7,000 of its plug-in hybrid off-road SUVs.

October Recall was Largest

During mid-October, BYD announced its most extensive recall to date, encompassing more than 115,000 Tang and Yuan Pro vehicles manufactured between 2015 and 2022, attributed to design deficiencies and battery-related safety hazards.

Sales Performance Falls

BYD's October sales dropped 12% compared with the corresponding month one year prior, following a 33% decline in third-quarter profit. In September 2024, BYD had recalled nearly 97,000 Dolphin and Yuan Plus EVs owing to a manufacturing defect concerning a steering control unit that presented fire risks.