BYD recalls every Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute sold in Australia over spare-wheel risk

BYD's Australian operation has called back 32,009 Shark 6 plug-in hybrid utes — effectively every one sold in the country — after discovering that the underbody spare wheel can come loose and drop off.

The issue traces back to the cable that supports the spare wheel. If the wheel was mounted incorrectly, the tray sits in the wrong position, or the fasteners weren't torqued properly, the cable can wear abnormally and eventually snap, creating a road hazard that BYD warns could cause serious injury or death.

All three grades are included: the Premium accounts for 28,543 units, the Performance 2,100 and the Dynamic Cab Chassis 1,366, built between August 2024 and June 2026. Owners can enter their VIN on BYD's recall page to check whether their vehicle is involved, and the company is also reaching out by email and through its app.

As an interim measure, drivers are being asked to take the spare wheel out of the vehicle. BYD dealers will fit a redesigned spare-wheel lifter assembly free of charge, a job expected to take around 30 minutes.