- The move follows a similar recall by its sister brand Zeekr, as well as a recent settlement reached between a Geely subsidiary and a battery supplier.
- Smart is recalling a total of more than 18,217 EVs due to potential thermal runaway risks related to the manufacturing consistency of high-voltage power batteries.
Smart, a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, is recalling certain Smart #1 and Smart #3 electric vehicles in China due to battery fire risks, following a similar battery-related recall by Geely's Zeekr brand last month.
Smart has filed the recall plan with China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), involving a total of 18,217 vehicles produced between 2022 and 2023, according to an announcement on Wednesday.
The affected models include 16,072 Smart #1 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 2,145 Smart #3s. The recall will be implemented starting March 17, 2026.
These vehicles have potential defects due to issues with the manufacturing consistency of components in their high-voltage power batteries. After long-term use, the internal resistance of the power battery may experience an abnormal increase, according to the announcement.
This could lead to a decline in the power battery's performance and, in extreme cases, trigger thermal runaway, posing a safety hazard to the driver and passengers, the announcement showed.
Smart will conduct inspections or remote diagnostics on all affected vehicles within the recall scope. It promises to replace the entire power battery assembly free of charge for untreated vehicles to eliminate the safety hazard.
Smart's cloud platform will provide early warnings to owners regarding potential safety hazards. If the dashboard displays a battery overheating warning, owners are strongly advised to pull over immediately and stay away from the vehicle.
The recall comes as Geely faces broader scrutiny over battery quality. Zeekr also recalled 38,277 battery electric vehicles last month due to thermal runaway risks.
Zeekr's recall follows the resolution of a high-profile legal dispute. Geely subsidiary Vremt and battery supplier Sunwoda reached a settlement over product quality issues early last month.
Sunwoda has agreed to proportionally share the massive costs incurred by replacing the defective power batteries for the affected vehicles.
($1 = 6.8744 yuan)
