BYD has notified the Chinese regulatory authority of a recall involving nearly 97,000 electric vehicles (EVs) due to a manufacturing defect in the steering control unit, which poses a potential fire hazard, as reported by the market regulator on Sunday.

The recall affects the Dolphin and Yuan Plus models produced in China between November 2022 and December 2023, according to a statement from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR).

BYD has not yet provided a response to inquiries for further information.

The company plans to instruct its dealers to implement a physical remedy for the vehicles being recalled, as indicated in the SAMR statement.

Details regarding whether any of the affected EVs were exported were not disclosed.

The Dolphin and Yuan Plus were BYD's best-selling models in 2023, collectively representing 26% of the 3 million vehicles sold by the company that year, based on data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

This recall is an unusual occurrence for BYD, which has rapidly ascended to become the leading global seller of pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The company previously recalled a limited number of Tang plug-in hybrids in 2022 due to a battery pack defect that could potentially lead to fires.