In brief
China is recalling more than four million cars, most of them Tesla models, because their hidden door handles may be unusable in a power failure or crash. The new regulation requires that every vehicle have both inside and outside mechanical release mechanisms. Critics argue the move is a significant safety improvement, while some engineers believe it is a weak fix that does not guarantee emergency access. Companies like Xiaomi, XPeng and Geely are also set to recall hundreds of thousands of cars in line with the mandate. The rule, which takes effect on 1 January 2027, will be a leading standard for global auto safety.
Over four million Chinese vehicles—almost all Tesla—have been scheduled for recall after Chinese authorities flagged that silently‑fitted door handles could fail to open in an emergency.
The recall follows a new 2026 Chinese regulation that bans vehicles without both inside and outside mechanical release mechanisms. Every model must also carry clear instruction signs inside doors, and some will receive software updates to lower windows if a crash disables power.
Manufacturers are not alone in the backlash. The electric‑vehicle pioneer Xiaomi reported two fatal crashes in 2025 where suspected electrical failure trapped occupants, prompting a recall of its first SUV, the SU7, and a review of its emergency releases. Tesla’s Cybertruck, which knocked out seats in a 2024 crash killing three students, is already embroiled in a US lawsuit claiming passengers were trapped by non‑mechanical door stops.
Chinese regulators emphasised that emergency exit can’t rely on software alone. Engineering experts argue that a mechanical latch remains the safest fallback. They fear that warning labels alone may not help panicked occupants in a dark, smoke‑filled cabin.
The Shanghai‑based evaluation released a 1 January 2027 deadline, giving manufacturers time to redesign. The new rule is the first of its kind worldwide, but it may set a precedent that the US and EU will follow once their safety review panels examine the issue.
