On September 18, 2026, the State Administration for Market Regulation issued an announcement that BYD is recalling some Tang and Qin series models, totaling 183,211 vehicles, with production spanning from 2014 to 2022. The recall is due to abnormal material in the brake pedal limit pad, which may crack and fall off and cause the brake lights to illuminate incorrectly. BYD will replace the improved parts free of charge. The Tang series recall involves 142,895 vehicles, and the Qin series 40,316 vehicles. From January to August this year, cumulative sales of the Tang and Qin fell 34.96% and 52.88% year on year, respectively. During the same period, BYD's August new energy vehicle sales were 440,293, up 17.84% year on year.
On September 18, 2026, the State Administration for Market Regulation issued a recall notice. BYD is recalling certain Tang and Qin series models in China, totaling 183,211 vehicles, effective from the date the notice was issued. The notice indicates that material anomalies caused during manufacturing were the common issue for these vehicles, and production dates for the affected vehicles span from 2014 to 2022.
Defect Traced to Brake Pedal Stopper Pad
According to the notice, some batches of the brake pedal stopper pad have material anomalies and may crack or deteriorate after prolonged use; in extreme cases, the stopper pad may detach, causing the brake lights to remain illuminated when the driver is not pressing the brake pedal. This condition may send misleading signals to vehicles behind and poses a safety risk.
The remedy is: BYD authorized dealers will replace the improved parts free of charge for the affected vehicles; vehicles that have already had the improved parts replaced do not need another replacement.
Tang Series: 142,895 Vehicles, Spanning Three Generations
The Tang series recall covers 142,895 vehicles, involving the Tang, All-New Tang DM, and All-New Tang EV, with production running from 2015 to 2022. The breakdown is as follows:
| Model | Production period | Number recalled |
|---|---|---|
| Tang | March 28, 2015 – December 21, 2018 | 58,026 vehicles |
| All-New Tang DM | May 19, 2018 – January 14, 2022 | 77,846 vehicles |
| All-New Tang EV | December 27, 2018 – October 25, 2021 | 7,023 vehicles |
The Qin series recall covers 40,316 vehicles, with production from June 27, 2014, to June 9, 2019.
The Cost Challenge of Long-Term Traceability
The Tang and Qin are both among BYD's earlier product lines, and the earliest vehicles in this recall were built more than a decade ago. The recall spans eight production years, meaning the company must still be able to trace component batches, define the affected scope, and complete parts replacements through its dealer network even after the models have undergone multiple facelifts and some versions have been discontinued.
From an execution standpoint, recall completion depends on several variables: the efficiency of reaching vehicle owners, convenience of visiting dealerships, and the pace of parts supply. For the company, the expense of such a long-cycle recall goes beyond parts and labor; it also includes scheduling and communication costs across the service network.
Reputation Among Existing Owners: Another Curve During the Generation Changeover
In January–August this year, the Tang series recorded cumulative sales of 67,278 vehicles, down 34.96% year on year; the Qin series recorded cumulative sales of 184,117 vehicles, down 52.88% year on year. Both early product lines contracted year on year during this period, in contrast with the rebound in BYD's overall sales.
From an industry perspective, the larger a model's existing fleet and the longer its product lifecycle, the broader the traceability radius of component issues, and the more directly after-sales response quality feeds back into brand reputation. For automakers in the middle of a product generation changeover, the pace of launches in the incremental market and service assurance for existing models form two curves that must be advanced simultaneously.
Overall sales recovery and overseas layout
BYD's overall sales have recently recovered. In August, the company sold 440,293 new energy vehicles, up 17.84% year-on-year, marking the fourth consecutive month of year-on-year growth and the highest monthly level so far this year.
In overseas markets, its regional advisor said that in the long term BYD needs four European factories to support its sales targets and comply with relevant EU regulations. The production capacity layout in growth markets and the handling of recalls of existing models correspond to two types of challenges facing the company in different markets.
