China Orders Record Recall of 4.3 Million Electric Vehicles

The State Administration for Market Regulations of China ordered the largest automotive recall in the country's history, affecting approximately 4.3 million electric vehicles across nine automakers. The regulator found that retractable and flush door handles often hide emergency mechanical releases, making them difficult for occupants and rescuers to locate during electrical failures following crashes. This safety flaw has been linked to multiple fatalities, including a 2025 crash involving a Xiaomi SU7 in Chengdu where rescuers struggled to open the doors.

Tesla is the most heavily impacted manufacturer, recalling approximately 2.98 million Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles. To address the risk, Tesla will affix warning labels and deploy over-the-air software updates to automatically lower windows after a collision. Other major recalls include Xiaomi Auto with over 390,000 vehicles, Leapmotor with 371,000, and XPeng with 264,000. Separately, Tesla is recalling 2.74 million China-built Model 3 and Model Y vehicles to integrate in-cabin camera monitoring into its driver-attention systems.

This regulatory crackdown precedes a January 1, 2027, mandate banning concealed door handles for newly approved vehicles, requiring obvious mechanical backups on both the inside and outside of every passenger door. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the United States is considering similar safety standards for occupant entrapment, it noted that the affected automakers have not filed similar recall plans for the U.S. market.