Tesla and other automakers are recalling more than 4 million vehicles in China over safety issues primarily related to door handles, Chinese authorities said Friday. The American automaker is recalling about 2.98 million imported and Chinese-made electric vehicles, including the Model 3, Model Y, Model year, it would ban hidden car door handles commonly seen on Tesla electric vehicles and many Chinese electric vehicle models. China has recently stepped up scrutiny of hidden or recessed door handles after electric vehicle accidents in the country and elsewhere, in which hidden electronic doors on cars failed and trapped people inside. In a notice on the Chinese regulator’s website, it cited the security risk. In extreme situations, such as a serious collision that causes an electrical system failure, the car’s handles could prevent users from quickly opening the doors to escape, or prevent rescuers outside the car from gaining access, according to the advisory. Some industry experts said automakers should value safety over design. Cui Dongshu, head of the China Passenger Car Association, called the recall “an inevitable step” in the development of the electric vehicle industry and said automakers were “being responsible” by moving toward a more reliable model, in which “safety comes first.” “This partly represents the growing problems of the industry. However, at the same time, this measure means a policy-driven safety improvement,” Cui said. Tesla will make software updates to the vehicles to mitigate risks, the notice added. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. Xiaomi, the Beijing-based Chinese tech giant, is recalling more than 390,000 vehicles. Hangzhou-based Leapmotor is recalling more than 370,000 cars. Other Chinese automakers, including Geely and XPENG, are also recalling some vehicles. The reasons given in each case were similar, mainly related to problems with the door handles of their cars. A report published by People’s Daily, the official newspaper of China’s ruling Communist Party, said the large-scale recall “serves as a unified safety upgrade” for existing vehicle models ahead of the 2027 implementation of the ban on hidden car door handles. “For 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,” the newspaper stated.
