BYD is recalling more than 32,000 Shark 6 utes sold in Australia due to a spare wheel storage defect that could lead to wheel detachment, with affected units built between August 2024 and June 2026.

BYD is notifying owners by email and via the BYD app, and owners can check recall status by entering their VIN on BYD’s Vehicle Recall Information page.

BYD Australia’s chief operating officer says the company aims to restore production to about 1,500 units per month, with potential boosts from the cab-chassis variant and a 3,500 kg towing option.

The recall fix is a free replacement of the spare wheel lifter assembly, upgrading the wire support to a sturdier chain, with installation taking up to about 30 minutes.

Online forums had highlighted spare wheel failures, supporting BYD’s decision to issue the recall.

For questions, owners can contact a BYD dealer or BYD Customer Care Centre at 1800 888 293, Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm AEST.

The Shark 6 posted strong early sales in Australia after its October 2024 launch, with around 5,000 units sold in the first quarter of 2025, but sales slowed after the fringe benefits tax exemption on plug-in hybrids ended.

The recall comes as BYD ranked as the second most popular car brand in Australia in 2026, with the Shark 6 being the most Googled ute of the year.

This recall is among BYD Australia’s largest and follows previous recalls, including a 2022 stop-sale on the Atto 3, underscoring ongoing safety and regulatory scrutiny.

The defect stems from potentially improper installation or positioning of the spare wheel and insufficient fastening torque, risking abnormal wear and detachment; until repaired, BYD advises removing the spare wheel per the Shark 6 Owner’s Handbook.

Owners can verify recall status by VIN on BYD Australia’s Vehicle Recall Information page, and repairs will be provided free of charge through a spare wheel assembly replacement.

The recall covers all three Shark 6 variants—Shark 6 Premium, Shark 6 Performance, and Shark 6 Dynamic Cab Chassis—produced from August 2024 to June 2026.