China’s safety regulator has ordered a large recall affecting nearly 3 million electric vehicles, including many Teslas, due to mechanical interior door handles that are too hard to find and operate in emergencies.
Recall Targets Emergency Door Handle Visibility
The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) says some EVs have interior door handle releases that blend in too closely with the surrounding trim. This makes them difficult to spot and use quickly if there’s an emergency.
Cars involved in the recall include around 2.98 million Tesla models sold in China, as well as hundreds of thousands of vehicles from Chinese brands like BYD, Geely, Xiaomi, BAIC, Leapmotor, Chery, FAW, Xpeng, and others.
The problem mostly concerns door handles with a mechanical backup that does not stand out in color or design. For example, handles that are the same color as the interior trim may be overlooked when drivers or passengers need a quick exit.
New Rules Ban Hidden and Poorly Marked Handles Starting 2027
China has already ruled that fully hidden door handles and electronic handles without a clearly visible mechanical option will be banned starting in 2027. This recall is an early step to address safety while those new rules come into force.
The change follows high-profile accidents where electronic or hidden handles reportedly delayed escape. One fatal crash involved a Xiaomi SU7 in 2025, where emergency responders struggled to open the doors quickly.
Tesla’s Response and Wider Industry Impact
Tesla plans to place warning labels on the affected door handles across Model 3, Model Y, Model X, and Model S vehicles in China. It will also release an over-the-air update to slightly lower windows during accidents, helping passengers escape.
Concerns about electronic door handles are not limited to China. In the US, authorities are reviewing the safety of such systems after reports of fatal incidents. However, no official ban or recall for electronic handles has yet been announced in the US.
Industry-Wide Attention on Door Handle Safety
The recall highlights a growing focus on the safety of electronic and hidden door handles worldwide. Manufacturers may need to ensure mechanical backups are clearly visible and easily accessible, especially in emergencies.
This development shows how regulators are tightening safety rules as EVs with new door handle designs become more common. More changes could come in other markets as investigations continue.
Source: insideevs.com