BEIJING — BYD is recalling 183,211 vehicles in China after a manufacturing defect was identified in a component that helps control the brake pedal’s resting position, according to China’s market regulator.
The recall, announced on Friday, Sept. 18, covers selected BYD Qin and Tang series vehicles manufactured between 2014 and 2022. China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said certain batches of brake-pedal stopper pads may crack or deteriorate after prolonged use.
In an extreme case, the stopper could detach, potentially causing the vehicle’s brake lights to remain switched on even when the brake pedal is not being pressed.
That could send a misleading signal to vehicles behind the affected car and create a road-safety risk, the regulator said.
Which BYD vehicles are affected?
The recall covers two major BYD model families.
According to the official SAMR notice, 142,895 Tang-series vehicles are included in one recall, while a separate recall covers 40,316 Qin-series vehicles. Together, they total 183,211 vehicles.
The affected Tang vehicles include:
- 58,026 Tang vehicles produced from March 28, 2015, to Dec. 21, 2018
- 77,846 new-generation Tang DM plug-in hybrids produced from May 19, 2018, to Jan. 14, 2022
- 7,023 new-generation Tang EV vehicles produced from Dec. 27, 2018, to Oct. 25, 2021
The Qin recall covers 40,316 vehicles produced from June 27, 2014, to June 9, 2019.
The recall took effect immediately.
What exactly is the brake problem?
The issue is not described by Chinese regulators as a failure of the vehicle’s main braking system.
Instead, the problem involves the brake-pedal stopper pad — a component associated with the pedal’s resting position.
SAMR said a manufacturing problem caused material abnormalities in certain batches of the component. After prolonged use, the stopper may crack or deteriorate. In extreme circumstances, it could detach.
If that happens, the vehicle’s brake lights could remain illuminated despite the driver not pressing the brake pedal.
That creates a different kind of danger: motorists following the affected vehicle could receive a false indication that the vehicle ahead is braking.
Reuters similarly reported that the defect could cause brake lights to remain on and potentially mislead other road users.
BYD will replace the component for free
BYD said affected vehicles will receive a free replacement of the defective stopper with an improved component through authorised dealers.
The Chinese regulator said vehicles that have already received the improved component during earlier servicing will not need another replacement.
BYD will notify affected owners through channels including registered mail, telephone calls and text messages, according to the regulator.
Owners can also contact BYD’s Dynasty customer service hotline at 950858 for information about the recall.
The recall comes as China’s auto industry faces increased safety scrutiny
The BYD recall arrives during a period of heightened attention on vehicle safety and recalls in China’s rapidly expanding electric-vehicle market.
In August, Reuters reported that Tesla and eight other automakers began recalls involving approximately 4.3 million vehicles in China, the country’s largest automotive recall campaign, involving concerns around vehicle doors and emergency access.
That broader recall activity illustrates the scale of China’s vehicle market and the increasing regulatory attention being placed on safety-related defects.
The BYD action is considerably smaller but involves vehicles dating back as far as 2014.
BYD remains a major force in the global EV market
The recall comes as BYD continues expanding aggressively outside China.
The company reported 440,293 new-energy vehicle sales in August 2026, according to data compiled from BYD’s sales disclosures by CnEVPost. Overseas sales reached a monthly record of 189,466 vehicles, up 134.45% from a year earlier.
At the same time, BYD’s domestic China sales were reported at 250,827 vehicles in August, 14.34% lower than a year earlier.
The recalled Qin and Tang lines are among BYD’s older model families. CnEVPost reported that both recorded year-on-year sales declines during the first eight months of 2026, although those sales figures concern current sales performance and do not establish a connection with the recall.
Another Chinese EV maker also announces a recall
The same Chinese regulatory announcement also covered a separate recall involving 686 Firefly electric vehicles made by Nio.
In that case, the issue involves wiring around the steering system’s torque sensor. The regulator said interference could, in extreme circumstances, cause the electronic steering system’s assistance to fail.
Nio will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the wiring harness free of charge where necessary.
What BYD owners should know
For owners of potentially affected Qin or Tang vehicles in China, the key issue is whether the vehicle falls within the specific production and recall range.
The official recall notice does not state that every Qin or Tang vehicle produced during those broad periods is automatically affected; it identifies vehicles within specified production ranges covered by the recall.
Affected owners should follow BYD’s recall notification and arrange the free component replacement through an authorised dealer.
Most importantly, the current regulator’s description points to a brake-light signalling problem caused by the stopper component, rather than a blanket warning that the affected cars are at immediate risk of total brake failure.
The bigger picture
The recall highlights how a relatively small mechanical component can create a broader road-safety issue when it affects a vehicle’s signalling system.
For BYD, the timing is notable: the company is simultaneously expanding rapidly overseas while regulators in its home market continue to scrutinise vehicle safety and manufacturing quality.
For owners, however, the immediate takeaway is straightforward: if the vehicle is covered by the recall, the affected brake-pedal stopper should be replaced through BYD’s authorised service network at no cost.
