(Deutsche Welle Chinese website) Tesla and eight other automakers announced that they will recall a total of about 4.3 million vehicles in China, setting a record for the scale of China's auto recalls.
Corrective measures for this recall include software updates, warning labels, and improved markings around door handles. Most car companies will also remotely upgrade software through OTA.
According to an announcement issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation of China, Tesla will recall 2.98 million imported and Chinese-made Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X vehicles starting from September 25. Tesla's recall is the largest and reflects the company's huge sales of models with such door handle designs.
According to China Business Daily, in addition to Tesla, the recall involves car companies including China FAW, BAIC Blue Valley, Dongfeng Motor, Chery, Geely, Xpeng, Leapmotor and Xiaomi.
Xiaomi will recall approximately 390,000 vehicles, Leapmotor approximately 371,000 vehicles, and Xiaopeng approximately 264,000 vehicles. The scale of recalls by Leapao, Xpeng and Geely also set historical records for their respective companies. Reuters pointed out that the scale of this recall not only reflects the huge number of cars in China, but also highlights that regulatory authorities are increasing their scrutiny of safety defects as cars increasingly rely on software to operate.
Doors may be difficult to open in an emergency
The recall focuses on mechanical door unlocking devices used in emergencies.
Chinese regulators say mechanical emergency door unlocking devices may be difficult to identify after a severe collision that causes the vehicle's electrical system to fail. It may be difficult for people inside the vehicle to open the door to escape, and it may be difficult for rescuers to enter the vehicle.
Tesla's corrective measures include adding warning labels and remote software updates to enable the vehicle to automatically lower its windows after a collision.
The issue has received increasing attention in recent years, after a number of incidents involving passengers being trapped in burning vehicles.
Chinese state media reported in October last year that after a Xiaomi SU7 crashed and caught fire, the driver died because passers-by were unable to open the door to rescue him.
Why are electronic door handles causing safety controversy?
In recent years, electronic door handles have rapidly become popular in the global automotive market, especially in the field of electric vehicles.
This type of design was widely popularized by Tesla. Door handles are usually flush with the door surface to achieve a minimalist look while reducing air resistance. When the owner approaches the vehicle, the door handles usually pop up automatically via an electronic system.
But unlike traditional mechanical door handles, these doors usually rely on buttons, touch panels or electronic systems to open.
Michael Brooks, executive director of the American Center for Auto Safety, said that if there is no clear and reliable manual unlocking method after the vehicle is powered off, drivers and passengers may have difficulty escaping in life-threatening situations.
He said some automakers have made designs relatively intuitive, such as pulling an interior handle twice in succession to manually unlock a car. But Tesla's manual emergency unlocking devices are usually located in the door storage compartment or under the panel and lack clear markings.
Auto consulting agency J.D. Power previously pointed out that as manufacturers continue to redesign door handles, the basic use function of door handles has gradually become an area of frequent problems. The agency said at the time that among the 10 models with the most prominent door handle use problems, 7 were electric vehicles.
Multiple lawsuits allege that Tesla's door handle design prevented drivers or passengers from escaping if the vehicle caught fire, resulting in injuries and deaths.
Some drivers also complained to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, saying they were unable to open the door and rescue their children from the car after getting out of the car.
China will ban hidden door handles from 2027
Since the beginning of this year, China has strengthened supervision of the electric vehicle industry and announced in February that it will ban "hidden" door handles from 2027, becoming the first country in the world to take this measure.
Under new safety requirements, all vehicle doors must be equipped with interior and exterior handles. Mechanical opening devices will become mandatory, while innovative designs such as electric handles will be optional. The new policy also stipulates the installation location and function of door handles on the car's exterior to ensure that the door can be opened in the event of an accident.
Chinese authorities said that starting from January 1, 2027, new models must adjust the door handle design in accordance with the new regulations. Approved models must meet the standards starting from January 1, 2029.
In the United States, proposed legislation would also require cars with such door handles to be equipped with reliable manual door opening devices. In Europe, regulators last year listed the risks posed by electronic door handles as a key concern. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) is developing new standards to ensure that electronic door handles can still be opened from both inside and outside the vehicle after the vehicle is powered off.
Recall costs may be relatively limited
Although the scale of this recall reaches approximately 4.3 million vehicles, industry insiders believe that the related costs may not be particularly high.
Sam Fiorani, vice president of automotive industry research firm AutoForecast Solutions, said the cost of the recall may be relatively limited. It was explained that Hyundai Motor's OTA remote upgrade can reduce the cost and vehicle downtime caused by large-scale recalls. Even if physical repairs are required, the cost will not be as high as some large-scale recalls in the past.
It's unclear whether Tesla will implement a similar recall in the United States or Europe. U.S. and European auto safety regulators and Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Brooks of the Center for Auto Safety pointed out that implementing a recall in one country does not mean that automakers will necessarily take the same measures in other markets. He said Tesla could still contest the recall requirements in the United States.
