Tesla, Xiaomi Lead China’s Largest Auto Recall Over Hidden Door Handles.
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✧ GENERATE BRIEFING
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has initiated the country's largest automotive recall campaign to date, involving 11 major automakers and millions of electric and intelligent vehicles over emergency mechanical door-release safety concerns. Led by Tesla—which is recalling nearly 3 million vehicles, including locally built and imported Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X units—the safety action also impacts prominent EV manufacturers like Xiaomi, Xpeng, Leapmotor, Zeekr, and Lynk & Co. Regulators identified that flush and electronically operated door handles pose serious risks during electrical power failures or post-collision rescues, as occupants may struggle to locate hidden manual overrides. Remedial actions include physical warning label installations and over-the-air (OTA) software updates designed to lower windows automatically upon impact. This record recall signals an aggressive regulatory shift ahead of China’s scheduled 2027 nationwide ban on fully concealed door handles.
China has launched its largest-ever automotive recall campaign, with 11 automakers recalling millions of vehicles over concerns that emergency mechanical door-release handles may be difficult to locate or operate during an emergency.
The recall campaign involves major automakers including Tesla, Xiaomi, Xpeng, Leapmotor, Geely’s Zeekr, and Lynk & Co, among others. Tesla alone is recalling nearly 3 million vehicles in China.
The safety concern centres on emergency mechanical door releases that may be difficult for passengers to identify, particularly after a severe crash or electrical failure. This could delay occupants from escaping a vehicle or make rescue operations more difficult.
Most of the affected automakers will install warning labels to make emergency release handles easier to identify. Several companies will also provide over-the-air software updates designed to improve emergency access, including automatically lowering windows after a collision.
The campaign comes as Chinese regulators tighten safety requirements for vehicle door-handle designs. China is set to ban concealed door handles from 2027, requiring vehicles to meet new mechanical-release safety standards.
The move represents a significant regulatory shift for the automotive industry, particularly electric vehicle manufacturers that have increasingly adopted flush or electronically operated door handles.
Tesla, which popularised the concealed door-handle design, faces the largest individual recall in the campaign, covering Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles manufactured in China and imported into the country.
The recall highlights growing regulatory scrutiny of vehicle safety as automakers increasingly rely on electronic systems and minimalist designs in newer cars.
