BYD made a notable entry into the pickup market with its plug-in hybrid Shark 6. The model has competed with established rivals and proved particularly popular in Australia, where more than 32,000 examples have been purchased in the two years since its launch.
All of those Shark 6 pickups have now been recalled—32,009 vehicles in total—because the spare wheel could fall away from the vehicle. It is among BYD’s largest recalls in Australia, and owners have been told to remove the spare wheel from its mount until the repair is completed.
The issue is linked to the possibility of abnormal wear developing in the spare-wheel support cable. Incorrect spare-wheel installation, improper positioning of the spare-wheel tray, or inadequate fastening torque can cause the wear. Continued movement and friction during normal use could then lead to the spare wheel becoming detached. The recall covers every Shark 6 variant sold in Australia, including the Premium, Performance, and Dynamic.
The prospect of a spare wheel coming loose may concern owners, particularly drivers travelling behind a Shark 6, but the remedy should be relatively quick. BYD says fitting the replacement assembly free of charge should take up to 30 minutes. However, CarSales reports that owners may need to leave their pickups at a workshop depending on scheduling.
BYD is contacting owners by email and through its app, while those who have not been notified can check whether their vehicle is affected on the company’s recall information website.
This is not BYD’s first recall in Australia. In 2022, shortly after the brand entered the market, the Atto 3 was subject to a stop-sale notice. A subsequent recall followed after the vehicle was found to breach Australian motor vehicle compliance regulations concerning the child-seat anchor point in the centre rear-seat position.
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