China has launched the largest recall action in its automotive industry to date, as market regulator SAMR announced recalls involving eleven automakers over concerns that mechanical emergency door releases may blend too closely with surrounding trim, making them difficult to locate or operate after a crash. If a severe accident causes the electrical system to fail, occupants could struggle to open doors quickly, hindering rescue efforts.

Tesla accounts for the largest share by far, recalling nearly 2.98 million imported and China-produced Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles starting 25 September, adding warnings plus an over-the-air update so windows lower automatically after an accident. Xiaomi is recalling 390,435 SU7 units, Leapmotor 371,200 C11 and C01 vehicles, Xpeng 264,842 G6, P7+, and X9 models, and Zeekr 92,658 007 and X models. Chery, Dongfeng, Arcfox, and FAW face further recalls.

The move follows China tightening door safety rules; from 2027 it will become the first country to largely ban concealed or retractable door handles in their current form. Separately, Tesla announced another recall of around 2.74 million Model 3 and Model Y vehicles over driver monitoring, addressed via an OTA update incorporating the interior camera. Including all recalls announced the same day, the total exceeds seven million vehicles.