China's Record EV Recall Hits Tesla, Xiaomi; Concealed Door Handles Banned From 2027
China's State Administration for Market Regulation initiated the nation's largest automotive recall, affecting 4.3 million electric vehicles from Tesla, Xiaomi, and other manufacturers. The move addresses emergency door access concerns, prompting a 2027 ban on concealed door handles.
Largest Recall Addresses Safety Concerns
China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced the country's largest automotive recall last Friday, involving approximately 4.3 million electric vehicles (EVs). Tesla, Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Xpeng, and Geely Holding are among the nine automakers affected.
The recall addresses concerns that vehicle doors may be difficult to open during an emergency, particularly after a collision or electrical system failure. This defect has drawn scrutiny after several cases of passengers trapped inside burning vehicles, including a fatal Xiaomi SU7 crash reported in October 2025.
China Bans Concealed Door Handles
China will ban concealed door handles from 2027, becoming the first country to phase out this design. Tesla popularised the handle style, which many domestic Chinese EV makers widely adopted. Beijing has increased oversight of the EV industry this year, introducing tougher safety requirements.
Automakers are deploying new technologies amidst a fierce price war in the world's largest vehicle market, driving regulatory attention to safety standards.
Software Updates and Warning Labels
The recall remedies vary, ranging from software updates to warning labels. Tesla's recall is the largest, covering 2.98 million imported and China-made Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles. Xiaomi will recall about 390,000 vehicles, Leapmotor 371,000, and Xpeng 264,000.
Most companies will install free warning labels to identify emergency door-release handles and deploy over-the-air (OTA) software updates. Sam Fiorani, vice president of research firm AutoForecast Solutions, suggests these actions will limit costs for manufacturers.
This regulatory action compels Chinese EV manufacturers, and foreign firms operating in China, to redesign future vehicle models. The ban on concealed door handles will likely increase compliance costs and influence design choices across the sector.
While current recall costs are mitigated by OTA updates, the long-term impact on vehicle aesthetics and engineering will be substantial. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also considered new safety standards for occupant entrapment last month, showing a potential global shift in automotive design regulations.
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