BYD controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2024
Investigation into contractor labor conditions at Brazil factory and prosecutors' lawsuit
In late 2024, Brazilian authorities investigated the construction site of BYD's factory, alleging that contractor workers' working and living conditions were suspected of constituting slavery-like labor. BYD terminated contracts with the relevant contractors, and the contractors denied the allegations. In 2025, prosecutors sued BYD and the contractors, seeking damages; the company said it was cooperating with the investigation. The investigation and lawsuit are not equivalent to a final conviction.
2023
Great Wall reports BYD plug-in hybrids over normal-pressure fuel tank emissions
In May 2023, Great Wall Motor publicly stated that it had reported to regulators that BYD's Qin PLUS DM-i and Song PLUS DM-i, which use normal-pressure fuel tanks, were suspected of failing to meet evaporative pollutant emission standards, triggering a compliance dispute between competing companies. BYD publicly responded and disputed the validity of the test results provided by Great Wall. This entry concerns the complaint and the dispute between the parties; the cited reports do not provide a final regulatory determination.
2021
Fire involving a suspected BYD Qin Pro
Safety incident
On November 22, 2021, a vehicle suspected to be a BYD Qin Pro caught fire in an underground car park in Beijing. BYD stated that the fire was extinguished promptly, denied that an explosion occurred, and reported no injuries. The company also said it would cooperate with the relevant departments to investigate the cause of the fire.
Company response
Clarification — 比亚迪
现场火情及时扑灭，未发生爆炸，也没有人员伤亡。
Investigation — 比亚迪
具体原因将配合相关部门进一步调查。
Source excerpt
针对此次事故，比亚迪方面于11月24日回应称：“现场火情及时扑灭，未发生爆炸，也没有人员伤亡。车辆于2019年初销售，具体原因将配合相关部门进一步调查。”
近日，北京中关村壹号地下车库发生电动汽车自燃事故，引发业界强烈关注。据了解，该自燃事故发生在11月22日晚上9点前后，自燃车辆疑似一辆比亚迪秦Pro。
2021
BYD customers report delayed Song PLUS DM-i deliveries and refund disputes
Issue disclosure
A news report described BYD customers in Hangzhou who said their Song PLUS DM-i deliveries were delayed, with one customer reporting that a dealership refused her request to cancel the order and return her deposit. The report also said more than 100 customers in a local BYD owners’ group had ordered vehicles from the dealership without clear delivery dates and with deposits not returned.
Source excerpt
沈女士告诉记者，她所在的杭州比亚迪车友群里有100多名车主在众天店订车，都是“未明确提车时间且定金不退”的情况。
沈女士依然没有交车的通知，并且她通过比亚迪在线客服得知，宋PLUS DM-i旗舰车型8月没有排产，提车更是遥遥无期。为此，她向4S店提出要退车退还“定金”，但遭到4S店拒绝。
2021
BYD announces recalls of e5 and Song DM vehicles
Recall announced
BYD announced recalls of 21,095 e5 vehicles and 1,486 Song DM vehicles, totaling 22,581 vehicles. BYD said the onboard terminal software would be upgraded free of charge because data updates in certain charging conditions could delay remote warning of potential safety risks.
Stated objective. 消除安全隐患
Company response
Remediation — 比亚迪汽车
比亚迪汽车将为召回范围内的车辆免费升级车载终端软件，以消除安全隐患。
Source excerpt
日前，比亚迪汽车将召回2017年2月16日至2019年3月24日生产的部分e5汽车，共计21095辆；以及2017年4月5日至2018年7月15日生产的部分宋DM汽车，共计1486辆。合计22581辆。
本次召回范围内的车辆，由于车载终端在某些充电工况下存在可用于预警的数据更新不及时的情况，不利于通过远程数据平台及时发现车辆部分参数的变化，导致对可能存在的安全风险不能通过远程数据平台及时预警，存在安全隐患。
2020
BYD responds to concerns about Blade Battery
Company response
BYD sales company deputy general manager Li Yunfei responded to concerns raised about the Blade Battery's nail-penetration test and low-temperature performance. According to the response, the battery had undergone tests in temperatures from -30°C to -60°C, and its voltage performance was not a concern.
Company response
Clarification — 比亚迪
针对李想的质疑，比亚迪汽车销售公司副总经理李云飞在微博上作出回应
Source excerpt
他表示，刀片电池已经在-30 ℃ -60 ℃ 的环境经历过几轮夏、冬季测试，并且做了带有震动同时叠加温度、湿度变化的充放电测试；电压方面，李云飞表示不用担心，成熟应用、很有经验。
针对李想的质疑，比亚迪汽车销售公司副总经理李云飞在微博上作出回应，洋洋洒洒近600 字。
Criticism of design imitation
Early BYD vehicles were criticized for resembling models from established international manufacturers. Referenced material reports that BYD defended its designs as using non-patented technologies and stated that its modifications complied with Chinese legal requirements.
Scrutiny over business and labor practices
BYD has faced criticism concerning aggressive price reductions, labor conditions, environmental impacts and the extent of government support received by its new-energy vehicle business.