On August 21, the State Administration for Market Regulation published a series of vehicle recall announcements. Nine automakers, including Tesla Motors, Xiaomi, Xpeng, Geely, Leapmotor, Chery, Dongfeng, BAIC BluePark, and FAW, filed recall plans covering roughly 4.276 million vehicles in total.
The recalls focus on issues with the identification and operation of emergency mechanical release handles. According to the announcements, in some vehicles, the emergency mechanical handles or their cover plates closely match the interior color scheme, and certain locations lack clear text instructions. In extreme situations, such as a severe collision causing the vehicle's low-voltage system to fail, this could hinder occupants from quickly opening doors to escape and may also complicate external rescue efforts.
The recall affects multiple new energy models, including the Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X, the Xiaomi SU7, and the Zeekr 007 and Zeekr X. Among these, Tesla Motors accounts for approximately 2.976 million vehicles, while Xiaomi, Leapmotor, and Xpeng are involved with about 390,000, 371,000, and 265,000 units, respectively.
The remedial measures vary by automaker. Xpeng and FAW will add warning labels near the emergency mechanical handles. Tesla Motors, Xiaomi, Leapmotor, and Geely will not only add labels but also use over-the-air software updates to adjust post-collision window or door unlock control strategies. Chery and BAIC BluePark will replace the emergency mechanical handle cover plates with improved versions to enhance their recognizability.
These vehicles are not generally lacking mechanical emergency door-opening devices. The rectification targets the issue that, while mechanical handles exist, occupants may not easily spot or quickly operate them in an emergency. Most automakers are not reinstalling mechanical structures but are reducing risks through labels, cover plates, and software strategies.
Safety standards for car door handles are also being accelerated. In January 2026, the mandatory national standard "Safety Technical Requirements for Automobile Door Handles" (GB 48001—2026) was issued and will take effect on January 1, 2027.
Under the new standard, each door, except for the tailgate, must be equipped with at least one mechanical release inner door handle, positioned in an unobstructed location that is directly visible to the corresponding occupant. Aside from certain traditional designs, inner door handles must also feature permanent markings with colors that contrast sharply against the background and remain clearly visible in dark conditions at night.
The standard also requires outer door handles to have a mechanical release function. In cases of collision or thermal events involving the power battery, even if the vehicle's low-voltage system fails, the door should still be openable without tools. These requirements will be implemented in phases, with type-approved models required to meet all specifications from January 1, 2029.
This batch of recalls demonstrates that door handle safety requirements are being enforced more strictly: emergency mechanical handles must not only be installed inside the vehicle but also ensure that occupants can find and use them promptly in the event of an accident.
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