Archive · 22 Aug 2026
China Recalls 4.3 Million Vehicles Over Hidden Door Risks
China is recalling about 4.3 million vehicles because their emergency door handles may be hard to find or use after a serious crash.
Tesla accounts for nearly 3 million of the vehicles involved.
The affected Tesla models include the Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X. If a crash also causes the car to lose electricity, electronic doors might not work normally.
This could make it harder for passengers to escape or rescuers to enter.
Companies will add warning labels and improve software to help people open the vehicles.
Tesla’s update can lower the windows automatically after a collision.
China also plans to stop allowing concealed door handles on new vehicles from 2027.
Tesla and eight other automakers will recall about 4.3 million vehicles in China, the country’s largest automotive recall.
Tesla’s recall covers approximately 2.98 million imported and China-made Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X vehicles from September 25.
Xiaomi, Leapmotor and Xpeng will recall about 390,000, 371,000 and 264,000 vehicles, respectively.
Regulators say emergency mechanical handles may be difficult to locate or operate after a severe collision and electrical-system failure.
Remedies include warning labels, clearer handle markings and over-the-air software updates, while China plans to ban concealed handles from 2027.
- Who
- Tesla and eight other automakers, including Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Xpeng and Geely Holding, under action by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation.
- What
- A recall of about 4.3 million vehicles over emergency door-release mechanisms that may be difficult to identify or operate after a crash and electrical-system failure.
- When
- The recall announcements were reported on Friday; Tesla’s recall begins September 25, and the planned ban on concealed door handles begins in 2027.
- Where
- China, involving imported and China-made vehicles.
- Why
- Regulators are concerned that concealed or difficult-to-use emergency handles could delay occupants’ escape or rescuers’ access after severe collisions.
Regulators and Safety Advocates
Automakers and Industry Responses
Emergency escape risk
Regulators and Safety Advocates
Chinese regulators say emergency mechanical handles may be difficult to locate or operate after a severe collision and electrical-system failure, potentially hindering occupants’ escape or rescuers’ access.
Automakers and Industry Responses
Automakers are addressing the reported risk primarily through warning labels, clearer markings and software updates rather than a broad hardware redesign of existing vehicles.
Safety versus concealed-handle design
Regulators and Safety Advocates
Cui Dongshu and Chinese state media described the recall and planned 2027 ban as a safety-first upgrade and a response to the risks of increasingly software-dependent vehicles.
Automakers and Industry Responses
The manufacturers’ announced remedies focus on practical changes for vehicles already on the road. Leapmotor said it remained committed to safety and was handling the upgrade through the recall process.
Cost and industry impact
Regulators and Safety Advocates
Tighter oversight reflects regulators’ concern about safety defects amid the rapid expansion and intense competition of China’s electric-vehicle industry.
Automakers and Industry Responses
Analyst Sam Fiorani said over-the-air updates could limit recall costs, downtime and the amount of physical work required; the News18 report said manufacturers expected limited financial exposure.
- Total vehicles affected
- About 4.3 million vehicles in China
- Tesla vehicles
- Approximately 2.98 million imported and China-made Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X vehicles
- Other major recalls
- Xiaomi: about 390,000; Leapmotor: about 371,000; Xpeng: about 264,000
- Safety concern
- Emergency mechanical door handles may be difficult to locate or operate after a severe collision and electrical-system failure
- Recall remedies
- Warning labels, improved handle markings and over-the-air power-window software updates
- Tesla remedy
- A remote update that automatically lowers vehicle windows after a collision, alongside warning labels
- China policy
- Concealed door handles are planned to be banned from 2027
- United States review
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is considering new safety standards; automakers have not notified it of a similar U.S. recall
Sources
Tesla Recalls Nearly 3M Vehicles in China Over Door Handle Safety Risks
'Open & Shut Case': China Bans Tesla-Style Hidden Door Handles After Unprecedented 4.3 Million EV Recall
China's largest car recall: Tesla, Xiaomi, Leapmotor, other automakers recall 4.3 million vehicles. Here's why
Tesla, eight automakers recall 4.3 million vehicles in China over door risk
