China is undergoing its largest car recall, affecting over 4 million cars, due to safety concerns surrounding hidden door handles, a design element typical of electric vehicles. This major recall includes 2.98 million Teslas produced in China, alongside vehicles from domestic manufacturers such as XPeng, Xiaomi, and Geely.
Safety Concerns Trigger Recall
Criticism of these hidden door handles has intensified following two fatal incidents in China, both involving Xiaomi electric cars. In these cases, suspected power failures may have hindered the ability to open the doors in emergencies. Tesla, whose vehicles are also included in the recall, acknowledged that their door handles are difficult to locate and use due to their similarity in colour to the vehicle’s interior. This particular design flaw could make it challenging for occupants to escape and for rescuers to reach inside in critical situations.
Efforts to Mitigate Risks
In response to these safety concerns, affected vehicles will receive a warning label on the door interior and a software update to ensure windows automatically lower during a crash. However, these measures have been criticised as temporary solutions. Tu Le from Sino Auto Insights referred to them as more of a “band-aid” rather than a long-term fix.
Wider Implications and Regulations
Amidst these developments, Chinese authorities have moved to ban hidden door handles. New regulations will take effect on 1 January 2027, mandating that all cars sold in China must have a mechanical door release on both the interior and exterior.
The issue has also attracted international attention. In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has conducted an inquiry into Tesla door handles after reports of them failing, resulting in passengers being trapped. The agency is considering the introduction of new safety standards that would require emergency door-exit systems across all vehicle brands.
Reporting based on coverage first published by bbc.co.uk.