A massive safety recall in China is targeting more than four million electric vehicles because their flush, hidden door handles can be hard to find and operate in an emergency. The action covers about 2.98 million Teslas built in China, along with vehicles from domestic manufacturers XPeng, Xiaomi and Geely.
The recall follows growing safety concerns about minimalist door handles, a design popularized by Tesla that has since been widely copied by Chinese EV makers. In crash situations, especially when a vehicle’s low-voltage electrical system fails, occupants may struggle to open the doors quickly, which could delay escape and complicate rescue efforts.
Tesla announced the recall on Friday, explaining that the handles on certain Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X vehicles are “difficult to identify and operate because their colour is similar to the interior trim.” The company said it would add warning labels inside the affected vehicles and push a software update that automatically lowers the windows after a collision.
The issue gained renewed attention after two fatal crashes in China involving Xiaomi EVs, where power failures were suspected of preventing doors from being opened. Industry analyst Tu Le, managing director of Sino Auto Insights, said the design trend “snowballed” after Chinese brands copied the sleek look of Tesla’s Model S starting in 2014. He described the recall remedy of labels and software tweaks as more of a “band-aid” than a lasting fix.
Chinese regulators have already moved to phase out the design. In February, authorities announced a ban on hidden door handles, and starting 1 January 2027, all cars sold in China will be required to have a mechanical release on both the inside and outside of their doors.
In the United States, Tesla’s door handles have also drawn scrutiny. An earlier probe by US safety regulators was opened after reports that handles suddenly stopped working, trapping children inside vehicles. In July, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggested establishing a formal safety standard for carmakers, and the agency told the BBC it is reviewing whether emergency door-exit systems should be required.