- BYD has recalled all 36,000+ Shark 6 pickups that were sold in Australia.
- The defect relates to a faulty spare wheel support.
- If it fails, the spare wheel could become detached.
BYD made a shock entry into the pickup space with their plug-in hybrid Shark 6. But despite going head-to-head with established competitors, the model has proved popular, not least in the land of the UTE, with Australian consumers buying over 32,000 examples in the two years since it was launched.
But every one of those Shark 6s has been issued a recall (32,009 to be precise) and it’s all because the spare wheel could fall out. It’s one of the largest recalls that the brand has had to issue within Australia. Meanwhile, customers have been advised to remove the spare wheel from its mounting until the fix is applied.
Read: The Shark 6 Couldn’t Tow Like Other Mid-Size Pickups, So BYD Made One That Can
The defect stems from the potential for abnormal wear of the spare wheel support cable. Incorrect installation of the spare wheel, incorrect positioning of the spare wheel tray, or insufficient fastening torque may cause said wear, with continued movement and friction during normal operation potentially resulting in spare wheel “detachment.” It also applies to all models of Shark 6 sold in Australia, including the Premium, Performance, and Dynamic.
Although potentially worrying for owners (perhaps more so for anyone following a Shark 6 on a highway), the solution is at least quick one, with BYD claiming that the free installation of the replacement assembly should take up to 30 minutes. However, CarSales reports that, depending on workshop scheduling, owners may have to leave their pickups behind.
While the company is reaching out to owners via email and the BYD app, anyone who hasn’t yet been contacted can find out if their vehicle is affected via BYD’s recall information website.
It’s not the first recall BYD has had to issue down under. In 2022, when the company was new to the market, a stop sale notice was issued on the Atto 3, and a subsequent recall was required after it was found that the car breached Australian motor vehicle compliance regulations related to the child seat anchor point in the middle back-seat position.
