Authorities in China have ordered a massive recall of over 4 million vehicles due to safety concerns regarding minimalist, flush-mounted hidden door handles, which are increasingly common in modern electric vehicles (EVs). The recall aims to address critical accessibility issues during emergency situations.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the recall impacts approximately 2.98 million Tesla vehicles manufactured in or imported to China. The campaign also extends to major Chinese automakers, including XPeng, Xiaomi, and Geely. The primary concern is that these flush-mounted handles, which retract into the bodywork when not in use, can be difficult to locate and operate during emergencies, particularly if the vehicle's low-voltage electrical system fails.
The issue has gained significant attention following two fatal accidents involving Xiaomi vehicles, where investigators are examining whether electrical faults prevented the doors from opening. Tesla has announced that it will address the safety concerns for its Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X by applying warning labels and introducing software updates designed to automatically lower windows during a crash. However, industry experts, including Tu Le of Sino Auto Insights, argue that these measures are temporary fixes. Consequently, Chinese regulators have announced new standards effective January 1, 2027, which will mandate that all vehicles sold in the country must feature mechanical door opening mechanisms both internally and externally.
