started · updated
China launches massive auto recall affecting 7 million vehicles FAST-MOVING
China has launched its largest-ever automotive recall campaign, involving more than 7 million vehicles from eleven manufacturers, including Tesla, Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Xpeng, Zeekr, and Geely. The massive wave of recalls is driven by increased scrutiny from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) regarding safety standards in the electric vehicle industry.
A primary focus of the campaign involves emergency mechanical door-release handles. Regulators found that in many models, these handles are difficult to locate or operate because their color closely matches the interior trim. This design flaw could hinder occupants from escaping during a severe collision and impede rescue efforts. Tesla is recalling approximately 2.98 million vehicles—including Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X units—to address this. The remedy includes installing free warning labels and deploying an over-the-air (OTA) software update to automatically lower windows following an accident.
Additionally, Tesla is conducting a separate, immediate recall of 2.74 million domestically produced Model 3 and Model Y vehicles to improve driver attention monitoring. The current system, which relies on steering-wheel torque, was deemed insufficient to ensure drivers keep their eyes on the road. Tesla will implement an OTA update to incorporate cabin-camera monitoring to better detect driver distraction.
In a broader regulatory move, China is set to ban concealed or “hidden” door handles starting in 2027, targeting the design popularized by Tesla and widely adopted by domestic EV makers.
Entities
China · Leapmotor · State Administration for Market Regulation · Tesla · Tesla Beijing Co., Ltd. · Tesla Shanghai Co., Ltd. · Xiaomi
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] The door handle recall affects Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles. www.businesstimes.com.sg · www.ekoturk.com · www.diariodemallorca.es · www.eeo.com.cn · cnevpost.com · +1 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The door handle recall remedy includes free warning labels and an OTA update to lower windows automatically after a collision. www.businesstimes.com.sg · www.diariodemallorca.es · www.eeo.com.cn · cnevpost.com · www.scmp.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] China will ban concealed or hidden door handles starting in 2027. www.businesstimes.com.sg · wochentlich.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The total number of vehicles involved in the multi-manufacturer recall campaign exceeds 7 million. cnevpost.com
- [DISPUTED] Tesla is recalling 2,975,910 vehicles due to emergency mechanical door-release handles being difficult to identify. www.ekoturk.com · www.diariodemallorca.es · www.eeo.com.cn · cnevpost.com · www.scmp.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Eleven carmakers launched vehicle recalls or software updates in China. www.businesstimes.com.sg · cnevpost.com
- [DISPUTED] Tesla is recalling 2,740,642 vehicles to improve driver attention monitoring via cabin cameras. www.ekoturk.com · www.diariodemallorca.es · www.eeo.com.cn · cnevpost.com · electrek.co
- [● 3 SOURCES] The driver monitoring recall remedy includes adding cabin-camera monitoring to existing steering-wheel torque monitoring. www.eeo.com.cn · cnevpost.com · electrek.co