China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced on August 21 that Tesla and several Chinese automakers will recall more than four million vehicles due to concerns regarding hidden door handles. The recall, which is the largest in the country's history, affects vehicles produced by Tesla, Xiaomi, XPeng, and Geely. The regulatory agency stated that the design of these handles can make them difficult to identify or operate during electrical failures, potentially hindering emergency escapes or rescue efforts.
The move follows a series of safety incidents linked to electronically powered door handles, which have become a common feature in electric vehicles (EVs) to reduce wind drag and provide a minimalist aesthetic. In 2025, Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi faced scrutiny after two fatal crashes involving its SU7 model, where survivors or relatives alleged that occupants were trapped due to electrical failures. Similarly, Tesla has faced litigation in the United States, including a lawsuit involving a 2024 Cybertruck crash in California, where a survivor alleged the lack of mechanical exterior handles prevented the rescue of three passengers.
Under the terms of the recall, manufacturers are required to add warning labels inside vehicle doors to instruct passengers on how to use emergency releases. Some vehicles will also receive a software update designed to automatically lower windows during a crash. According to SAMR, Tesla is recalling nearly three million vehicles, while Xiaomi, XPeng, and Geely are recalling a combined total of more than 750,000 units. Tesla has previously maintained in U.S. court filings that its designs comply with federal safety standards.
The scale of the action involves over four million cars, representing a significant portion of the modern EV fleet in China. While the cost of software updates and labels is generally absorbed by the manufacturers, the regulatory precedent may lead to global design changes. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated it is currently reviewing whether to require emergency exit systems, and European regulators have drafted standards to ensure handles function without power. This means drivers in other regions may see similar design mandates in the near future as manufacturers often standardize vehicle platforms for global sale.
What happens next: The regulatory landscape will shift significantly on January 1, 2027, when China becomes the first country to ban hidden door handles that lack physical release mechanisms on both the inside and outside. After this date, new car designs without these mechanical backups cannot be sold in the Chinese market. While carmakers have not yet notified U.S. authorities of similar recall plans, engineering experts suggest that the "emergency entry and exit" principle established by these new Chinese standards will likely influence international safety requirements for all future electric vehicles.