China has initiated its largest automotive recall in history, affecting more than 4 million vehicles due to safety concerns surrounding concealed door handles. Nearly 3 million of these recalled vehicles are Tesla models, including the company’s Model 3, Y, S and X variants manufactured in China. The hidden door handle design, which has become increasingly common among electric vehicle manufacturers, poses risks when emergency access to vehicles is needed.
Tesla and several Chinese automakers, including XPeng, Xiaomi and Geely, are included in the recall. According to Tesla’s statement, the recessed door handles are problematic because their appearance blends too closely with the vehicle’s interior trim, making them challenging to locate and operate during emergencies. The company has committed to installing warning labels on affected vehicles and releasing a software update designed to automatically lower windows following a collision to facilitate escape.
The recall was prompted following fatal incidents involving Xiaomi electric vehicles, where power system failures prevented door operation. In response to these safety concerns, Chinese authorities announced a ban on such door handle designs, requiring all vehicles sold domestically from January 1, 2027 to include mechanical door releases on both interior and exterior panels. Similar issues have also drawn attention from United States safety regulators investigating reports of Tesla door handle malfunctions that have resulted in occupants becoming trapped inside vehicles.
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