BYD has been forced to recall thousands of cars across Australia over safety concerns.

The Chinese car maker, which is the second most sold brand in Australia, issued an urgent recall on Monday after a safety defect was detected on the vehicle’s under-car spare wheel storage.

The recall affects more than 32,000 Shark 6 vehicles across the nation, with cars carrying the defect manufactured between August 2024 and June 2026.

“In certain circumstances, incorrect installation of the spare wheel, incorrect positioning of the spare wheel tray or insufficient fastening torque may cause abnormal wear of the spare wheel support cable,” a spokesperson for BYD said.

The Chinese company said this abnormal cable wear can cause the spare wheel to fall off the vehicle, leading to a hazard on the roads.

“This may potentially cause serious injury or death,” BYD said.

It comes after a rise in complaints on online forums from BYD owners who have revealed issues with their spare wheel failing.

Several drivers reported their tyre “removing itself” from the vehicle, while others said they found the spare tyre “swinging around wildly” during their commutes.

BYD has said they will be in contact with owners who are impacted by the defect.

The car maker will replace the spare wheel lifter assembly in affected vehicles for free, swapping the wire support cable out for a sturdier chain.

The major recall comes amid a highly successful year for BYD in Australia, with the company’s sales Down Under booming in 2026.

In April, the Chinese manufacturer was officially named Australia’s second most popular car brand, narrowly trailing behind Toyota in terms of units sold.

BYD’s Shark 6 was the nation’s most frequently-Googled ute across Australia in 2026, beating out popular choices like the Toyota Hilux.