Isolated BYD Atto 3 Shutdown Incident Raises EV Safety and Support Questions

A BYD Atto 3 owner recently shared a distressing experience when his EV suddenly came to a halt on the Cheras-Kajang Expressway on Labour Day (May 1) - without warning - posing serious danger to his family and other motorists.

The incident occurred during a drive from Melaka to Penang, with a brief stop in Kajang. While travelling on the highway, the vehicle abruptly applied its brakes and displayed a “Power System Failure” message. The wheels appeared locked, rendering the car unresponsive in the fast lane.

Several vehicles had to swerve to avoid a collision. The owner contacted highway authorities, and a patrol unit arrived within 10 minutes to place warning cones and manage traffic.

Attempts to restart the car failed. Shifting the gear to neutral also didn’t help, as the locked wheels made it impossible to push the vehicle. After about an hour, a tow truck arrived. The team had to use wheel dollies to move the car onto the truck before transporting it to BYD Glenmarie in Shah Alam.

As it was after business hours, the owner had to leave the vehicle outside the service centre and stay overnight with relatives nearby. The following morning, he contacted the centre but was initially told they were short-staffed and that a prior appointment was needed.

Only after stressing the seriousness of the highway incident did the service team agree to inspect the car. Later that afternoon, technicians confirmed a failure of the 12V lead-acid battery and said repairs would take a few days.

The owner expressed frustration over the lack of coordination between BYD Glenmarie and BYD Melaka. He was also told that no courtesy car was available, forcing his family to cancel their trip to Penang. Eventually, transport back to Melaka was arranged.

On May 5, the Glenmarie service centre confirmed the 12V battery needed replacement due to low voltage. As the vehicle had exceeded the 20,000 KM coverage limit for the part, the owner was charged RM418.

What alarmed the owner most was the complete lack of advance warning. According to BYD’s service team, the Atto 3’s system does not currently notify drivers of potential 12V battery issues.

While this case is serious, it appears to be an isolated incident, with no other similar cases publicly reported involving the Atto 3. It’s also a problem that could happen to any EV, not just BYD. Unfortunately, in this instance, it happened to be a BYD vehicle.

In EVs, while the high-voltage battery powers the motor, the 12V battery plays a crucial role in supporting key systems like the ECU, brake assist, power steering, and relays. A failure can result in a total vehicle shutdown - even while driving.

Unlike internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which can often keep running despite battery issues, EVs depend heavily on the 12V system to remain operational. This makes its reliability critical.

Although EVs have fewer moving components than ICE vehicles, the systems they do rely on are vital to safe operation. Regular checks - both by service centres and owners—are essential.

Some newer EVs, like Tesla’s, have moved to lithium-ion 12V batteries or designs that draw low-voltage power directly from the main battery using DC-DC converters. These solutions offer better longevity and reliability. It's time for more EV brands to follow suit.

This incident underscores the need for greater transparency, robust safety systems, and improved after-sales support in the EV industry. For current and future EV owners, it’s a sobering reminder to stay vigilant and informed.

We have reached out to BYD Malaysia for an official statement regarding the incident and will provide updates when more information becomes available.