Recalls & faults: BYD Atto 3 (2022-on)

Recalls: BYD Atto 3

Overview

Recalls are issued for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Manufacturers or importers seek to inform the original buyer if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. However, manufacturers or importers may not have the contact details of subsequent owners. Please note that the recalls below are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.

Recalls: BYD Atto 3

2022 BYD Atto 3: centre rear and front passenger seats not to be used with child seat; front passenger airbag switch

In December 2022, recall campaign A11.22 was issued for 2022 BYD Atto 3 SC2E-2 (XTD) and SC2E-4 (STD) variants. In these vehicles, the centre rear child restraint anchorage and front passenger were not to be used with a child seat until BYD had carried out a minor modification so that the vehicle would conform with Australian Design Rules (ADRs). Furthermore, the front passenger airbag switch could be unintentionally disengaged via a switch in the front passenger side of the vehicle. If the switch was set to the ‘off’ position, the front passenger airbag would not deploy in teh event of a collision – this condition increased the risk of injury to the occupant. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see REC-005579.

Problems and faults: BYD Atto 3

Overview

This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.

To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.

2022-24 BYD Atto 3: 12V starter battery failure

For 2022-24 BYD Atto 3 vehicles, owners have reported finding their vehicle “dead” or unresponsive, often requiring a jump-start or tow to a service centre. This has been attributed to the 12 volt starter battery not maintaining enough charge to engage the high-voltage contactors. Various factors contribute to this problem, including:

1. a faulty initial batch of lead-acid batteries;
2. low charging voltage from the DC-DC converter (often measured at 13.8V instead of the required 14.4V+); and
3. parasitic drain caused by the car not “sleeping” properly when connected to certain home chargers with timers.

The best fix for this problem is to replace the factory battery with a high-quality AGM or lithium 12V equivalent. BYD has also released several Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates to improve the charging logic and ensure the traction battery tops up the 12V battery more frequently when the car is parked.

This is the most commonly reported hardware problem for BYD Atto 3 vehicles.

BYD Atto 3: ADAS and “Phantom Braking” glitches

For all production years of BYD Atto 3 vehicles, owners have reported that the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) can be overly aggressive. This includes:

1. “phantom braking” (i.e. sudden braking for no reason);
2. jerky Lane Keep Assist (LKA) that fights the driver; and
3. intrusive “emergency” steering corrections on narrow Australian country roads.

These issues are caused by the vehicle’s sensor calibration and software being sensitive to shadows, roadside vegetation, or oncoming traffic on curved roads. The system’s logic sometimes misinterprets these as immediate collision threats.
Owners are advised to update to the latest software version via OTA, as BYD has improved the operation of the ADAS over time. Drivers can lower the sensitivity of the LKA and Forward Collision Warning in the vehicle settings menu, though these often reset to “Standard” each time the car is started.

2022-24 BYD Atto 3: “Atlas Batman” tires

From 2022 to mid-2024, Australian-delivered BYD Atto 3 vehicles were fitted with Atlas Batman A51 tires. Australian owners have reported that these tyres do not provide enough grip in wet conditions, leading to frequent wheel-spin and ABS intervention. Owners have also complained about excessive road roar at highway speeds. This is because the Atlas Batman tyres use a hard rubber compound which is designed for longevity and low rolling resistance. From late 2024, BYD Atto 3 vehicles were fitted with Continental EcoContact 6Q tyres. Owners have recommended replacing the Atlas Batman tyres with premium tyres like Michelin Pilot Sport, Continental UltraContact, or Bridgestone Turanza.

2022-23 BYD Atto 3: infotainment blackouts and connectivity lag

For BYD Atto 3 vehicles, owners have reported that the touchscreen may freeze, lag during navigation or turn completely black while driving. Connectivity issues with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (random disconnections) have also been reported. These problems are most commonly reported in 2022 and 2023 vehicles.

These issues are typically caused by software bugs or memory management errors in the DiLink system, particularly when running multiple power-intensive apps (like Spotify and Google Maps) simultaneously.

To fix the problem, a “soft reset” can usually be performed by holding the volume scroll wheel on the centre console for 10–15 seconds until the system reboots. Long-term resolution requires installing the latest OTA system updates. In rare cases where the screen remains black, the dealer may need to replace the Head Unit (HU) or communication module.

2022-23 BYD Atto 3: cabin rattles and trim “creaks”

For BYD Atto 3 vehicles, owners have reported persistent rattles coming from the A-pillars, the panoramic sunroof assembly, and the door-mounted “guitar strings” trim. These noises are highly noticeable because the electric powertrain is otherwise very quiet. These problems are most commonly reported in 2022 and 2023 vehicles.

These noises are a build-quality issue involving loose trim clips or insufficient insulation between plastic panels. In early units, the sunroof rails were sometimes insufficiently lubricated or secured, leading to a “ticking” sound over bumps.

Dealers fixed some of these problems under warranty by applying felt tape to contact points and tightening the trim clips. For sunroof noises, cleaning and re-greasing the rails with a silicone-based lubricant may resolve the issue.