BYD recalls 88,981 Qin Plus DM-i sedans over battery power output risk

The Chinese electric-vehicle maker BYD has issued a recall of 88,981 units of the Qin Plus DM-i plug-in hybrid sedan after China’s regulator found that some vehicles may suffer from power-battery faults that could limit electric output, potentially preventing pure-electric driving in extreme cases, as reported by Autohome.

The recall period covers two production batches: 52,890 vehicles built between September 26, 2021 and September 23, 2023, and 36,091 vehicles manufactured between January 7, 2021 and September 30, 2022.

According to the recall notice filed with the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the root cause is a manufacturing consistency issue with the power-battery packs. This inconsistency may reduce the battery’s output power, potentially causing the vehicle’s electric-drive mode to turn off under certain circumstances.

To address the defect, BYD will deploy over-the-air (OTA) updates to vehicle diagnostic software for all affected units. Once a battery anomaly is detected, a warning light will appear on the instrument cluster, prompting owners to return to authorised dealers. Dealers will then replace the battery pack free of charge under the recall plan.

The recall follows a defect investigation initiated by SAMR. The regulator’s intervention suggests heightened scrutiny of the consistency of power-battery manufacturing across major electric-vehicle makers in China.

This recall comes weeks after BYD’s earlier large-scale recall, when more than 115,000 units of its models, including the BYD Tang and BYD Yuan Pro, were recalled for design defects and battery-related safety risks.

Authorised dealers will notify owners of the recalled Qin Plus DM-i vehicles via registered mail, phone, or SMS. They can also call BYD’s customer service hotline or visit the recall-centre website maintained by the regulator for further information and to check if their vehicle is covered.

In total, the recall covers a significant portion of Qin Plus DM-i production over more than two years, underscoring the importance of battery-pack consistency in hybrid vehicles where reliance on electric drive and battery safety is central.