Lithium battery failure causes BYD to recall nearly 90,000 cars for repair in China
Chinese manufacturer BYD announced a major recall campaign involving 88,981 units of the Qin Plus DM-i plug-in hybrid sedan in its domestic market. The preventive measure was taken after identifying a critical defect in the lithium battery pack, which could compromise the safety of the occupants and the proper functioning of the vehicle. The cars affected by this recall left the assembly lines between January 2021 and September 2023.
Understand the origin of the electrical problem in high voltage components
The official call was registered with the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the body responsible for monitoring product quality in China. According to the documents presented, the failure is concentrated in the electrical harness responsible for capturing the battery voltage, which presented inconsistencies during the manufacturing process. This variation in assembly causes the cables to experience abnormal pressure within the sealed compartment.
More on this story: Battery failure causes BYD to recall almost 89,000 Qin Plus units in China
With continuous use of the car, the natural vibration of the roads and the thermal expansion of the components worsen the wear of this harness. This causes incorrect readings to be sent to the battery management system (BMS). The immediate danger is the abrupt cut-off of the energy sent to the electric motor, resulting in the car suddenly stopping in motion, in addition to considerably increasing the risk of serious thermal events, such as fires.
Repair strategy involves software update and parts exchange
To resolve the defect, the Asian automaker structured a contingency plan divided into two fundamental steps. The first phase consists of releasing a remote software update, known as Over-the-Air (OTA), aimed at all copies involved in the campaign. This new code improves the management system algorithm, allowing sensors to detect any anomaly in the wiring harness early and issue a visual alert on the instrument panel.
Learn more: Battery defect leads to recall of almost 90 thousand BYD vehicles in the Chinese market
The second part of the protocol requires the physical presence of the car at an authorized dealership of the brand. Specialized technicians will thoroughly inspect the integrity of the power pack. If any degradation or non-standard assembly is found in the electrical component, the part will be replaced at no cost to the consumer.
Sequence of calls raises alert about quality control
The episode involving the Qin Plus DM-i sedan is not an isolated case in the company’s recent history, highlighting the logistical challenges of maintaining quality control amid accelerated production expansion. Just a month earlier, in October, the company had already had to recall more than 115 thousand units of Tang DM-i and Yuan Pro sports utility vehicles. The reason was also linked to fire risks originating in the energy storage system.
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Going back a little further, in September, another mass call was made official by the Chinese authorities. At that time, the focus was on power converter components that were prone to overheating.
- September recall: More than 96 thousand units of Dolphin and Yuan Plus models due to converter failure.
- October recall: Approximately 115 thousand Tang DM-i and Yuan Pro vehicles due to battery fire risk.
- Current recall: Almost 89 thousand copies of the Qin Plus DM-i due to a defect in the wiring harness.
Adding these three consecutive campaigns, the volume of the brand’s cars that needed to return to the workshops exceeds the mark of 300 thousand units in a very short space of time. This scenario reflects the increasingly strict stance of Chinese regulatory bodies, which have intensified oversight of the safety of so-called new energy vehicles (NEVs).
On the same topic: Fire risk causes BYD to recall nearly 90,000 hybrid vehicles in China
Government guidelines and guidance for drivers
China’s automotive market is leading the global transition to electrification, which requires institutions like SAMR to set extremely high safety standards. Battery manufacturers and automakers, including giants like CATL and CALB, operate under constant scrutiny to ensure production uniformity keeps pace with technological innovations. The Beijing government’s objective is to shield consumer confidence and maintain the country’s hegemony in the sector.
In the coming days, the manufacturer will begin direct contact with the owners of the almost 90,000 affected sedans, using official applications, emails and text messages. Customers were also advised to access the company’s portal and enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to confirm whether their chassis is on the repair list. While software updates only require connection to 4G or 5G networks, physical checks require prior appointments in stores.
Volume of registrations ignores crises and breaks new records
Interestingly, the sequence of mandatory repairs did not damage the manufacturer’s commercial image among the consuming public. October sales reports showed a significant jump in global sales, surpassing the mark of 441 thousand vehicles delivered in a single month. Experts point out that transparency in conducting preventative recalls often strengthens customer loyalty in mature markets, rather than driving away buyers.
Commercial performance continues to be driven by strong demand for plug-in hybrid models, which registered more than 214 thousand registrations, representing growth of 31%. At the same time, fully electric vehicles maintained a robust pace, with around 223 thousand units sold. The preference for cars that combine electrical efficiency with the safety of a combustion engine for long journeys consolidates the company’s strategy at the top of the global automotive ranking.
