China Orders Record EV Recall As Tesla And Xiaomi Fix Door Safety
Eleven automakers have launched China’s largest-ever vehicle recall campaign, overhauling emergency door-release systems following intense regulatory pressure from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR).
The sweeping enforcement targets a widespread design vulnerability: mechanical emergency door handles that can be difficult to locate or operate following severe collisions and total electrical system failures. Regulators stepped up oversight as a fierce price war drives rapid technological shifts across the world’s largest auto market.
Tesla is pulling back 2.98 million imported and China-built Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles starting September 25, 2026, according to filings submitted to SAMR. Alongside Tesla, brands including Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Xpeng, Zeekr, and Lynk & Co have announced their largest-ever individual recalls to address the same mechanical access concerns.
Nine of the eleven automakers involved are installing physical warning labels free of charge to clearly identify emergency release mechanisms. Most of these manufacturers are simultaneously pushing out over-the-air (OTA) software patches. Tesla‘s remediation plan pairs the warning labels with an automated OTA update that drops vehicle windows instantly following a severe crash to ensure cabin egress and rescue access.
Operational requirements for these fleets are set to become even stricter. China will officially ban concealed or flush-mounted “hidden” door handles starting in 2027, making it the first global market to phase out a minimalist aesthetic popularized by Tesla and widely adopted by domestic manufacturers.
