China launches largest auto recall over door handle safety

China's market regulator has triggered the largest auto recall in the country's history, with eleven manufacturers—including Tesla and Xiaomi—recalling nearly 4.3 million vehicles over concerns that emergency door release handles may be difficult to locate or operate during accidents Source: La Vanguardia. The campaign, announced on Friday, comes as Beijing tightens oversight of the electric vehicle industry and prepares to ban hidden door handles entirely from 2027 Source: La República.

The recall

Tesla accounts for the bulk of affected vehicles, recalling 2.98 million Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X units, both imported and made in China, starting September 25 Source: La República. The company says the mechanical emergency handles can be hard to identify after a severe collision and electrical failure, potentially hindering occupant evacuation or rescuer access Source: La República. Tesla will install warning labels and deploy a wireless update that automatically lowers windows after a crash Source: La Vanguardia.

Other manufacturers are also affected: Xiaomi will recall about 390,000 vehicles, mainly its SU7 sedan, while Leapmotor has around 371,000 units Source: La Vanguardia. Nine of the eleven manufacturers will install free warning labels, and most will apply remote software updates Source: La Vanguardia.

Safety concerns

Reports indicate at least 15 deaths in a dozen incidents where occupants or rescuers could not open Tesla doors after high-speed crashes Source: La Vanguardia. The handles' color similar to interior finishes makes them hard to spot Source: La Vanguardia.

Regulatory context

China will become the first country to phase out hidden door handles, a design popularized by Tesla, starting in 2027 Source: La República. The move reflects stricter safety requirements amid intense price competition in the world's largest auto market Source: La República.