U.S. automaker Tesla and several Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are recalling more than 4 million vehicles over safety concerns, primarily related to door handles, according to Chinese authorities on Friday, as reported by infohub.kz.
According to China's State Administration for Market Regulation, the American manufacturer is recalling approximately 2.98 million China-made and imported Model 3, Model Y, Model X, and Model S vehicles due to door handle safety risks. Chinese media report that this is the largest recall of the year.
The decision comes a few months after Chinese authorities announced in February that starting next year, they would ban hidden door handles commonly used on Tesla and many Chinese EV models. China has recently intensified scrutiny of hidden or flush door handles following EV accidents in the country and elsewhere, where hidden electronic doors failed and trapped people inside.
In a notice on the Chinese regulator's website, the safety risk was highlighted. It stated that in extreme situations, such as a severe collision causing electrical system failure, door handles could hinder passengers from quickly opening doors to escape or prevent outside rescuers from gaining access. Tesla has announced it will perform software updates on the vehicles to mitigate risks. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.
Beijing-based Chinese tech giant Xiaomi is recalling more than 390,000 vehicles. Hangzhou-based Leapmotor is recalling over 370,000 cars. Other Chinese manufacturers, including Geely and XPENG, are also recalling some vehicles. In each case, the reasons cited are similar, mostly related to door handle issues.
In an article published by the People's Daily, the official newspaper of China's ruling Communist Party, it was stated that the large-scale recall serves as a "unified safety upgrade" for existing vehicle models ahead of the 2027 implementation of the ban on hidden door handles. The newspaper argued that in the rapidly evolving NEV (new energy vehicle) industry, competition should be defined not only by the pace of technological innovation but also by the high standards set for safety.