China’s EV darling BYD is recalling more than 115,000 vehicles over battery and design flaws, pushing its one-year recall tally beyond 200,000 and raising big questions about quality control in the world’s fastest-growing electric carmaker.
Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has announced the largest recall in its history, ordering more than 115,000 cars back to the factories after regulators flagged design flaws and battery-related safety risks. The decision underscores how rapid expansion and global ambitions are now being weighed down by nagging concerns about safety, reliability, and quality assurance in the company’s flagship models.
According to a statement released by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the recall affects two major models that helped propel BYD’s market growth. First, 44,535 units of the Tang series SUV, manufactured between March 2015 and July 2017, are being recalled after inspections revealed that design flaws in some components could lead to critical functional failures. Second, 71,248 units of the Yuan Pro electric vehicle, produced between February 2021 and August 2022, are being recalled due to battery assembly issues that carry safety risks.
This latest decision comes on the heels of multiple recalls that have dogged BYD in the past year. In January, the company recalled 6,843 Fangchengbao Bao 5 hybrid SUVs over a fire risk. Just months earlier, in September 2024, BYD pulled back nearly 97,000 Dolphin and Yuan Plus electric vehicles due to a dangerous defect in the steering control unit that regulators said could also cause fires.
The cumulative effect of these decisions is staggering. With the new recall, BYD has now recalled more than 200,000 vehicles within a single year. Industry experts note that while the company continues to expand globally and challenge Tesla as a dominant force in the EV market, its quality control systems appear increasingly under strain. BYD’s record-breaking sales and bold international ventures have attracted headlines, but the recalls are beginning to chip away at its reputation as a safe and reliable automaker.
Analysts say the mounting recalls could have ripple effects not only for BYD’s domestic dominance but also for its credibility in overseas markets where regulators and consumers are paying closer attention to safety standards. For an automaker aiming to capture a larger share of the global EV market, these flaws serve as a sharp reminder that speed without safety can turn success into a costly liability.
