BYD is recalling 183,000 cars in its home market of China after a defect was identified in a brake pedal component, the country's market regulator has confirmed. The fault can cause the brake lights of affected vehicles to remain illuminated even when the driver is not applying the brakes.
The recall covers domestically sold examples of the BYD Qin and Tang series manufactured between 2014 and 2022. According to the notice issued by China's State Administration for Market Regulation, the problem stems from a defective batch of brake pedal stoppers that can crack or detach over time.
Although the fault does not present an active safety risk to the occupants of the affected cars, it does create a hazard for other road users. A brake light that stays on permanently can mislead drivers behind, who may be unable to tell when the vehicle ahead is actually slowing or stopping. The defect therefore affects the potential safety of surrounding traffic rather than the braking performance of the car itself.
BYD will replace the faulty parts free of charge through its authorised dealer network. The company has confirmed that the recall is confined to vehicles sold inside China and will not affect BYD models sold in overseas markets, including the United Kingdom and Europe.
The action comes days after BYD Australia issued a separate recall for its Shark 6 pickup, in which owners were advised to remove the spare wheel because of a risk that it could detach and endanger other road users. BYD has stressed that the two matters are unrelated and that the Qin and Tang recall is limited to domestic Chinese models.
The recall was announced alongside a separate action affecting 686 examples of Nio's Firefly electric car. That recall concerns the vehicle's steering system, which in extreme cases could result in a loss of power steering assistance. Nio has said it will inspect affected vehicles and replace defective wiring harnesses.
Both recalls follow a far larger campaign launched in China in August, when authorities moved to recall 4.3 million vehicles over their use of electric door handles. The concern centred on whether occupants could escape easily after an accident that disabled a car's electrical system. Tesla, Xpeng, Geely and other manufacturers were included in that action, with remedies ranging from warning stickers identifying mechanical releases to software updates that lower windows after a collision.
For BYD, the latest recall is a reminder of the scrutiny facing China's largest electric vehicle maker as it manages a vast and growing domestic fleet. The Qin and Tang series are among its longest-running and highest-volume nameplates, and the eight-year production window covered by the recall means a significant number of owners will need to arrange inspections and repairs.
The company has not indicated that the defect has caused any accidents or injuries. Owners of affected vehicles are expected to be contacted directly and can have the brake pedal stoppers replaced at no cost through authorised service centres.