Has the CEPS controller been inspected for the capacitor short-circuit pattern documented in the September 2024 service campaign?

Request this answer in writing from the service advisor before authorizing repair work. The full playbook covers documentation procedures and post-service verification steps.

What is the inspection procedure used to confirm or rule out the controller defect, and is it a visual inspection, an electrical test, or both?

Request this answer in writing from the service advisor before authorizing repair work. The full playbook covers documentation procedures and post-service verification steps.

Were any diagnostic trouble codes recorded related to the electric power steering system, steering torque sensor, or vehicle stability control?

Request this answer in writing from the service advisor before authorizing repair work. The full playbook covers documentation procedures and post-service verification steps.

Will any controller replacement or insulation-pad installation be performed under warranty, recall, extended coverage, or goodwill — and which classification will appear on the repair order?

Request this answer in writing from the service advisor before authorizing repair work. The full playbook covers documentation procedures and post-service verification steps.

Has the instrument cluster or dashboard panel been removed during diagnosis, and was reassembly torque verified per the service procedure?

Request this answer in writing from the service advisor before authorizing repair work. The full playbook covers documentation procedures and post-service verification steps.

app / playbooks / BYD Dolphin — steering failure

high severity steering failure 2022—2023 dealer

BYD Dolphin steering failure (2022—2023)

BYD Dolphin · 2022—2023 · all trims

Diagnostic code reference

Reading codes off a BYD Dolphin service invoice? Look them up in our OBD-II DTC database →

Reported symptoms

Power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument cluster
Steering effort suddenly increased while driving — loss of power steering assist
Burning smell or visible smoke from the steering column area or dashboard
Intermittent steering warnings paired with other electrical fault indications
Audible buzzing, clicking, or relay-like sounds from behind the instrument cluster
Vehicle entered a fault state with multiple warnings active simultaneously

Questions to ask

Pose these to the service advisor at intake. Request answers in writing or via email.

Has the CEPS controller been inspected for the capacitor short-circuit pattern documented in the September 2024 service campaign?
What is the inspection procedure used to confirm or rule out the controller defect, and is it a visual inspection, an electrical test, or both?
Were any diagnostic trouble codes recorded related to the electric power steering system, steering torque sensor, or vehicle stability control?
Will any controller replacement or insulation-pad installation be performed under warranty, recall, extended coverage, or goodwill — and which classification will appear on the repair order?
Has the instrument cluster or dashboard panel been removed during diagnosis, and was reassembly torque verified per the service procedure?
If the China-market recall remedy is not available locally, what alternative inspection or remediation is being offered, and on what basis?

Documents to request

Each item should be received in writing before authorizing repair work.

Diagnostic report listing all stored, pending, and historical fault codes related to the electric power steering system
Repair order with technician notes describing the inspection and any work performed on the steering controller
Written warranty determination distinguishing recall coverage, extended warranty, and goodwill
Reference number of any technical service bulletin, service campaign, or international recall cited during diagnosis
Written confirmation of whether an insulation pad or updated-spec component was installed and the part number used

Pre-service evidence

Capture before drop-off. Once the vehicle leaves your possession, proving prior condition becomes significantly harder.

Photograph any steering warning light on the cluster before drop-off
Record VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), odometer reading, and ignition state at drop-off
Photograph any burn marks, melted plastic, or unusual discoloration in the steering column area, dashboard, or footwell
If a smell of burnt electronics was present, document when it occurred, the ambient conditions, and the driving scenario
Retain documentation from any prior steering-related visits, including those classified as 'no problem found' or 'unable to reproduce'

Service advisor interaction

Operational notes specific to the conversation at the service desk.

Record the full name of the service advisor handling the visit and the date and time of each conversation
Note whether the visit is being classified as warranty, recall, extended coverage, or goodwill — each carries distinct downstream consequences
If verbal statements about coverage differ from the written repair order, request written clarification before authorizing any work
Document any reference to the September 2024 China-market CEPS recall and how the dealership characterizes its applicability

Repair authorization

Cautions before signing.

Do not authorize paid diagnostic work until warranty classification has been clarified in writing
If a diagnostic fee is presented, request written confirmation of whether the fee is refundable should the issue later be classified as warranty- or recall-covered
Repair authorization forms often include language permitting additional related work — read carefully and decline blanket scope additions
If component replacement is recommended, request the part number and confirm whether it is the original-spec or the updated-spec part incorporating the recall remedy

Post-service verification

Complete before leaving the service location. Issues that surface after departure are operationally harder to attribute to the visit.

Verify steering effort and on-center feel before leaving the service location
Confirm no warning lights illuminate after a short test drive including stops, turns, and parking maneuvers
Verify the cluster does not display intermittent steering, stability-control, or related warnings after a full ignition cycle
Confirm the repair order matches the work performed and references the correct campaign or bulletin number
Note odometer reading at pickup and any test-drive distance attributed by the dealership

Email templates

Documentation-focused templates for service correspondence. Tap copy to use. Subject and body are kept verbatim — paste them as-is into your email client.

pre-service inquiry

to: dealer service

Service inquiry — Dolphin steering system, request for written diagnostic documentation

Service Department, I am bringing my [YEAR] BYD Dolphin, VIN [VIN], in for evaluation of a steering system concern. Symptoms observed: [LIST SYMPTOMS WITH DATES]. Before authorizing any repair, I am requesting that the following be provided in writing: 1. A diagnostic report listing all stored and pending fault codes related to the electric power steering system. 2. Inspection findings for the CEPS controller, with reference to the September 2024 service campaign on the column electric power steering controller. 3. The warranty coverage determination for any recommended repair. 4. The reference number of any technical service bulletin or campaign cited during diagnosis. Please reply to this email so the planned work scope is on record. Thank you, [NAME]

post-service follow-up

to: dealer service

Follow-up — written confirmation of service visit on [DATE]

Service Department, Following my appointment on [DATE] for VIN [VIN], I am requesting written confirmation of the following: 1. Fault codes recorded during diagnosis. 2. Inspection findings for the CEPS controller. 3. Work performed, parts replaced, and part numbers used. 4. Warranty coverage classification applied to this repair. Please reply to this email at your convenience. Thank you, [NAME]

Warranty notes

The September 2024 SAMR-filed recall covers specific production-date ranges and was issued for the Chinese market. Coverage in other markets is determined by the local distributor and is not automatically transferable from the China campaign.
Warranty disputes involving electronic control units have, in some markets, referenced aftermarket accessories, software modifications, or non-OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) service history. Records of OEM service can be relevant to coverage determinations.
Repairs performed under goodwill do not extend the warranty period. Confirm in writing whether the work is classified as warranty, recall, or goodwill.

Observational patterns

The CEPS controller defect was formally acknowledged by the manufacturer via SAMR filing in September 2024 for the Chinese market. The same controller and assembly process were used in export-market production from the same period.

The mechanical cause documented in the recall — instrument cover closure compressing the controller capacitor — is platform-specific and not dependent on owner usage patterns.

Where the recall remedy has not been issued in a market, dealers may classify the defect as an isolated failure rather than a known pattern. Reference to the SAMR campaign in written communication has, in some service interactions, changed this classification.

The Dolphin and Atto 3 share the same CEPS controller assembly and were subject to the same September 2024 recall, with overlapping production windows. Service campaigns issued for one model may apply to the other and are not always cross-referenced automatically.

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