In a recent development, FAW-Toyota, the joint venture between Toyota and BYD in China, has announced a recall plan for its electric sedan, the bZ3, due to a rear door handle defect. This recall affects more than 12,000 units of the bZ3 model that were produced this year, highlighting the automaker’s commitment to ensuring customer safety.
The bZ3 electric sedan, part of Toyota’s Beyond Zero (bZ) lineup aimed at recapturing market share in the region, was unveiled in October last year. Developed through BYD Toyota EV Technology, the vehicle combines BYD’s Blade batteries, motor, and electric control system with Toyota’s e-TNGA platform, which is also used in the bZ4X, Lexus RZ 450e, and Subaru Solterra.
Notably, the bZ3 boasts an impressive electric range of over 600 km (379 miles) on the CLTC cycle, making it an attractive option for environmentally conscious consumers. Its unique interior features a digital island system, integrating a large center screen into a tray-like console, offering a high-tech ambiance.
Following its highly anticipated launch in China on April 16, 2023, the bZ3 garnered significant interest, with over 5,000 orders received on the first day of sales. However, the recent recall was necessitated by a safety issue with the rear door handles, which may cause them to unexpectedly open while driving or remain locked in certain extreme conditions.
The root cause of the problem lies in the design of the rear door handle and the lock, resulting in a gap that may affect proper locking, particularly in high humidity or temperatures. To address this concern, FAW-Toyota has taken swift action and filed a recall plan with China’s State Administration for Market Regulation. The recall covers 12,205 bZ3 electric sedans manufactured between March 13 and July 5, 2023.
In response to the recall, FAW-Toyota is taking comprehensive safety measures. The automaker will be replacing the rear door locks at no cost to customers, implementing additional gaskets to ensure the proper functioning of the locking mechanism. As an emergency precaution, owners of the affected vehicles have been advised to cease usage immediately and contact the nearest FAW-Toyota dealership for inspection.
The recall process is set to commence on July 27, 2023, with the automaker’s commitment to ensuring customer satisfaction and safety at the forefront of its efforts. It is worth noting that the bZ3 electric sedan comes in two variants – the base model starting at 169,800 RMB ($24,680) with a range of 517 km (321 miles), and the Long-range variant starting at 189,800 RMB ($27,587) with an extended range of 616 km (382 miles).
