The largest recall in electric vehicle history due to faulty door handles
Tesla, Xiaomi, Geely, Leapmotor, Xpeng, and Zeekr are among the most recognized electric vehicle brands in Spain facing the largest recall in automotive history. This situation affects more than seven million vehicles sold in the world's largest automotive market: China.
However, they are not the only options available. In addition to the aforementioned brands, others such as Dongfeng, Lynk & Co, FAW, BAIC, Chery, and Genesis are also affected. These brands complete the list of those impacted by this recall.
The reason for the largest recall in history.
This significant recall, the most extensive in history, has been carried out in China and was prompted by the recall campaign announced by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). Today, eleven manufacturers have taken advantage of this measure, proceeding with the inspection of more than seven million vehicles.
Tesla is in a precarious situation, with approximately three million vehicles affected, including the Model 3, Model S, and Model X. Xiaomi will be forced to recall 390,435 units of its electric vehicle, which has sold half a million units in a 2.5-year period. Leapmotor, meanwhile, will have to recall 371,200 units of various models that it does not sell in Spain. Geely, on the other hand, is among the least affected brands, with a small number of 18,878 vehicles requiring recall.
This announcement is linked to the requirements established in the "Regulations on the Recall of Defective Automobiles" and the "Implementing Measures for the Regulation on the Retention of Demographic Automobiles," which China has implemented in recent months. Its stance has been strengthened following a tragic accident in which three students lost their lives after being trapped inside a burning Xiaomi SU7.
The reason for this record-breaking recall is related to the controversy surrounding interior door release mechanisms in vehicles in China. The government had previously regulated this issue, stipulating that all new models launched from January 1, 2027, onward must be equipped with mechanical emergency release systems. The government has reiterated this regulation, prompting this massive recall.
The State Automobile Manufacturers' Association (SAMR) has indicated that the emergency release handles are extremely difficult to identify and operate due to their blending with the color and appearance of the vehicle's interior trim or upholstery.
Given the current situation, and as reported by Chinese media, the affected automakers will implement warning labels on the affected emergency release mechanisms. These labels are intended to facilitate their proper identification. Furthermore, it is important to note that most of the affected vehicles will receive, through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, an additional feature that will facilitate the automatic opening of the windows in case the vehicle detects a serious accident.
