Tesla and Xiaomi hit by China’s 7 million-vehicle recall

This is unquestionably the largest Chinese automotive recall to date. The authorities have called in numerous manufacturers, including Tesla, Xiaomi and Leapmotor.

On Friday 21 August, Tesla, Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Xpeng, Zeekr, Chery, Geely Auto, Dongfeng, Arcfox and FAW received a single request in China. The authorities have initiated an unprecedented recall campaign, on a scale never seen before, over a safety concern affecting 7 million vehicles in total.

A fleet of 7 million vehicles amounts to no less than 18% of France’s entire vehicle fleet, or roughly the equivalent of the national vehicle fleets of Algeria or Switzerland. In practical terms, parking all these cars would require a car park covering 87 km².

Chinese recall stems from emergency door-release design

The issue is one of design. Unlike most recalls, however, it is not strictly a technical fault. Instead, the authorities have highlighted the colour selected for an interior emergency door-release component, considering it too similar to the surrounding trim.

If these mechanical emergency controls cannot be readily spotted and operated, the consequences could be serious in an accident. This matters both for occupants needing to open the doors after a low-voltage system failure and for emergency responders.

Tesla accounts for most vehicles in the Chinese recall

Although ten carmakers are involved, Tesla vehicles make up the overwhelming majority of those included in the recall campaign. A total of 5,716,552 vehicles belong to the American manufacturer: Model Y and Model 3 cars built locally at the Shanghai Gigafactory. Imported models are also affected, including Model 3, Model X and Model S vehicles.

To resolve the matter, manufacturers have been asked to bring in the vehicles and place a label on the emergency-release systems, making them easier to identify visually. Xiaomi is also affected through its 2024 SU7 saloon (390,435 units). Alongside Tesla, the two brands will also have to carry out an over-the-air software update so that, following an accident, the windows lower automatically after the crash.

Flush door handles are part of a wider crackdown

This recall forms part of a broader policy in China intended to monitor and address manufacturers’ recent shift towards ever more digital systems and electronics. One of the key announcements is the ban on “Tesla doors”: retractable door handles integrated into the bodywork that offer no mechanical means of operation. If a fault occurs, there is a risk that they can no longer be opened.

The authorities have given the affected carmakers, including Tesla and Xiaomi, a transition period to alter vehicles already launched on the market, with January 2029 set as the deadline. For new vehicles, the standard will apply from January 2027.