The recalls follow defect investigations conducted by the SAMR, as reported by CarNewsChina. They affect two models, both of which have not been produced in this form for several years. Although the issues are quite different – one involves a possible malfunction of the drive motor control unit and the other relates to a sealing defect in the traction battery – all affected vehicles require a visit to an authorised BYD dealer.
The first recall concerns the 2015 Tang series, with 44,535 vehicles built between 28 March 2015 and 28 July 2017. At that time, the large SUVs in the Tang range were only available as plug-in hybrids; the battery-electric version now offered did not yet exist between 2015 and 2017. The issue stems from the design and selection of components in the drive motor controller, which can lead to an abnormally active discharge function during operation.
In extreme cases, this could damage the circuit board and cause the control unit to fail. Without the drive motor controller, the purely electric driving mode could, in those extreme cases, fail while driving, which is naturally considered a safety risk. As part of the recall, BYD will install new software that also updates the discharge strategy.
The second recall affects 71,248 units of the Yuan Pro produced between 6 February 2021 and 5 August 2022. The Yuan Pro is a compact electric SUV positioned just below the Yuan Plus (known in Europe as the Atto 3) – but the recall only applies to the Yuan Pro, not the Yuan Plus/Atto 3. The issue here stems from a manufacturing defect in which the sealing of the traction battery may not have been applied correctly.
This can result in reduced sealing performance. “Prolonged high-speed wading could result in water ingress into the power battery, compromising its insulation,” CarNewsChina explains. To address this, BYD dealers will apply a special sealant to the battery housing to reinforce it and restore the intended water resistance.
carnewschina.com, samr.gov.cn (in Chinese)
This article was first published by Sebastian Schaal for electrive’s German edition.
