Chinese regulators announced on Friday that Tesla and domestic automakers are issuing a massive recall affecting more than 4 million cars, primarily due to door-handle safety issues.
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation said the American manufacturer accounts for roughly 2.98 million imported and locally produced electric vehicles affected by the door mechanism hazards, including Model 3, Model Y, Model X and Model S vehicles.
Marking the year's biggest recall per local reports, the move follows a February announcement by officials prohibiting hidden door handles starting next year, a feature prevalent across Tesla designs and numerous Chinese electric models.
China has stepped up scrutiny recently on hidden, or flush, car door handles following EV accidents in the country and elsewhere, in which cars’ hidden electronic doors failed and trapped people inside.
In a notice on the Chinese regulator’s website, it cited safety risk. In extreme situations, such as a severe collision that causes an electrical system failure, the car handles could hinder car users from quickly opening the doors to escape, or prevent rescuers outside the car from gaining access, the notice said.
Tesla will perform software updates on 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 technology giant, is recalling more than 390,000 vehicles. Hangzhou-based Leapmotor is recalling over 370,000 cars. Other Chinese carmakers, including Geely and XPENG are also recalling some vehicles.
The reasons given in each case were similar, mostly relating to issues with their car door handles.
A report published by the 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 said.
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