China launches biggest ever auto recall campaign over door handle safety

On Friday, eleven car manufacturers, including Tesla and Xiaomi, initiated the largest-ever automotive recall campaign in China. The recall, mandated by regulators concerned about the safety of emergency door-release systems in electric vehicles (EVs), primarily targets issues with locating or operating mechanical door handles during emergencies.

Nine of the participating automakers will provide free warning labels to highlight the location of these handles. Most companies will also deploy over-the-air (OTA) software updates to ensure the handles function correctly in critical situations.

Tesla announced that it would recall 2.98 million vehicles from September 25, citing potential difficulties in identifying mechanical emergency door-release handles following a severe collision and electrical system failure. The issue could impede occupants' ability to escape or hinder rescuers' access to the vehicle. Tesla's solution includes warning labels and an OTA update that automatically lowers vehicle windows after a collision, enhancing occupant safety.

Other notable brands joining the recall campaign include Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Xpeng, Zeekr, and Lynk & Co. The campaign reflects China's increasing regulatory oversight of the EV industry and the introduction of stricter safety requirements as automakers introduce new technologies amidst a fierce price war in the world's largest auto market. China is set to ban concealed or "hidden" door handles from 2027, becoming the first country to phase out a design that has gained widespread adoption, including from Tesla.