The Chinese government has issued the largest car recall in China's history, affecting over 4 million vehicles, including 2.98 million Teslas, due to hidden door handles that can be difficult to locate and open in emergency situations. Tesla is recalling its Model 3, Y, S, and X vehicles, citing a safety hazard that could hinder occupants from opening doors to escape after a severe collision. The recall will include warning labels on the interior door and a software update to automatically lower windows after a crash. Other brands affected by the recall include XPeng, Xiaomi, and Geely, with Chinese authorities announcing a ban on hidden door handles effective January 2027.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-24,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Tesla has recalled nearly 3 million vehicles in China due to hidden door handles that are difficult to locate and operate, particularly in emergency situations. The recall affects 2.98 million Chinese-made Teslas, as well as other brands including Xpeng, Xiaomi, and Geely. This is the largest car recall in China, with a total of over 4 million vehicles affected. The issue has been linked to two fatal crashes involving Xiaomi EVs, where power failures may have prevented doors from being opened. To address this concern, Tesla will add a warning label to the interior door and implement a software update that automatically lowers the windows in the event of a crash.
Written for “Tesla China Recall Issues” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it -0.35, but none of the 1 quote(s) it offered could be found in the article text, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 1994: no verified evidence · logged 2026-08-28
- Published
Minimalistic door handles became a signature feature of electric vehicles (EVs), but the controversial designs are now at the centre of China's biggest car recall, affecting more than 4 million vehicles.
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designs → publish → vehicles
The recall, which includes 2.98 million Chinese-made Teslas, follows safety concerns that the hidden door handles are difficult to locate and open in emergency situations.
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handles → include → situations
Other brands affected by the recall include Chinese carmakers XPeng, Xiaomi and Geely.
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brands → affect → XPeng
The recalled vehicles will have a warning label stuck on the interior door and receive a software update to automatically lower the windows in a crash.
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vehicles → recall → crash
The designs have come under scrutiny after two fatal crashes in China involving Xiaomi EVs, in which power failures were suspected to have prevented doors from being opened.
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failures → come → doors
Tesla said in a statement on Friday that it was recalling some of its Model 3, Y, S and X vehicles due to door handles that are "difficult to identify and operate because their colour is similar to the interior trim".
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colour → say → trim
"In extreme situations such as a severe collision causing the vehicle's low-voltage system to fail, this could hinder occupants from quickly opening the doors to escape and impede rescue efforts by those outside the vehicle, posing a safety hazard," it said.
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it → cause → hazard
Tesla said it would place warning labels on the recalled vehicles and issue a software update to automatically lower a vehicle's windows after a collision.
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it → say → collision
It is not clear if the affected firms plan to make a similar recall for the rest of the world.
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firms → affect → world
The BBC has contacted Tesla, XPeng, Xiaomi and Geely for comment.
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BBC → contact → comment
The use of hidden handle designs has "snowballed" after Chinese brands were quick to copy the "sleek" look of Tesla's Model S sedan since 2014, said Tu Le, the founder of consultancy Sino Auto Insights.
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Le → hide → Insights
The use of warning labels and a software update is more of a "band-aid" than a lasting solution for the issue, he added.
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he → warn → issue
In February, Chinese authorities announced a ban on hidden door handles.
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authorities → announce → handles
Under new rules due to take effect on 1 January 2027, cars will only be allowed to be sold in China if they have a mechanical release on both the inside and outside of their doors.
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they → take → doors
Tesla's door handles were also involved in a probe by US safety regulators after reports that they suddenly stopped working, leaving children trapped in the cars.
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they → involve → cars
In July, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggested creating a new formal safety standard for all carmakers.
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Administration → suggest → carmakers
The BBC has contacted the agency for comment.
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BBC → contact → comment
