Massive recall in China: 4.3 million cars affected due to a danger with the door handles
The brands involved include Tesla, as well as local manufacturers such as Xiaomi and Geely. And from 2027, flush door handles will be banned unless they meet safety standards
Try opening the car door. It won’t budge. It’s every driver’s nightmare, except that in China it has become a matter of national security. The authorities in Beijing have just ordered a massive recall: 4.3 million cars will have to be taken back to the garage. And it’s all down to those famous flush-fit door handles – they may look good, but they’re now under fire for safety reasons.
It is not a question of style or aerodynamics. The real problem arises when the worst happens: a violent impact could cause the electrical system to malfunction and, suddenly, those retractable door handles refuse to work, leaving those inside trapped with no way out. For those called upon to provide assistance, the situation becomes a nightmare. The mechanical emergency controls often blend in with the rest of the car because they are painted the same colour as the panels. Finding them in the dark, amidst the chaos of an accident whilst the seconds tick away, is like a treasure hunt that nobody would ever want to go on.
Tesla bears the brunt of the recall: nearly three million cars are affected, mainly Model 3 and Model Y vehicles produced in Shanghai, plus a handful of other imported vehicles. But the measure spares no one. Even leading Chinese brands such as Xiaomi, XPeng, Leapmotor and Geely are affected. Behind this strictness lies a recent and dramatic incident: the horrific crash involving a Xiaomi SU7 in 2025, in which an electrical failure appears to have blocked all escape routes.
This crackdown also changes the rules for future models. Indeed, it is not limited to the large-scale recall: from 1 January 2027, cars with only flush door handles will no longer be allowed to be sold in China unless they also have a mechanical escape mechanism that is clear and immediately visible. This is a clear turning point, set to set a precedent elsewhere too. It is no coincidence that in the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is already keeping a close eye on the matter.
