Xiaomi is recalling more than 390,000 vehicles due to door handle safety issues. Leapmotor is recalling over 370,000 vehicles due to door handle safety issues. Geely brands Zeekr and Lynk & Co. are among the manufacturers issuing recalls for hidden door handles. XPeng is among the manufacturers issuing recalls for hidden door handles.

Tesla stated that the door handles are difficult to identify and operate because their color is similar to the interior trim. In an official statement, the automaker said that in severe collisions causing low-voltage system failure, the door handle issue could hinder occupants from escaping and impede rescue efforts. To address the issue, Tesla will affix warning labels to the interior doors of the recalled vehicles to help occupants locate emergency mechanical releases. The company will also issue an over-the-air software update to automatically lower vehicle windows after a collision is detected.

Why It Matters

The simultaneous recalls by Tesla and ten other major automakers indicate a widespread industry challenge with hidden door handle designs. With more than 4 million vehicles affected across 11 manufacturers, the regulatory response points to a systemic safety concern rather than an isolated defect. The upcoming ban on these handles, effective January 1, 2027, mandates mechanical releases on both the inside and outside of doors, signaling a permanent shift in vehicle design requirements in China.

The addition of in-cabin camera monitoring for driver attention represents an evolution in safety technology beyond traditional steering-wheel sensors. This move aligns with global trends toward more comprehensive driver monitoring systems. The coordination between domestic Chinese brands like Xiaomi and Leapmotor and international entities like Tesla demonstrates the uniform application of these new safety standards across the market.

Timeline

On May 30, 2025, NHTSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to remove unnecessary regulatory text from Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 210, Seat belt assembly anchorages. Chinese authorities announced a ban on hidden, electronically-actuated exterior door handles in February 2026. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggested in July 2026 creating a new formal safety standard for car door egress systems. Tesla delivered 25,158 Model Y units in China in July 2026, a decrease from the number sold in July 2025.

On August 21, 2026, Tesla announced it is recalling approximately 2.98 million vehicles in China due to safety concerns regarding hidden door handles. Also on August 21, 2026, Tesla confirmed the recall affects Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles manufactured between March 4, 2019, and April 29, 2026. Additionally, on August 21, 2026, Tesla announced it is issuing a separate recall for driver monitoring systems in China-made Model 3 and Model Y vehicles manufactured between March 4, 2019, and December 7, 2025.

What's New

Additional reporting confirms the recall affects Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles manufactured between March 4, 2019, and April 29, 2026. It was also reported that Tesla is issuing a separate recall for driver monitoring systems in China-made Model 3 and Model Y vehicles manufactured between March 4, 2019, and December 7, 2025. Cui Dongshu, head of the China Passenger Car Association, described the recall as an inevitable step and a policy-driven safety upgrade. The driver monitoring system recall involves adding in-cabin camera monitoring alongside existing steering-wheel torque sensors to track driver gaze and attention.

Further details indicate Tesla delivered 25,158 Model Y units in China in July 2026, a decrease from the number sold in July 2025. Tesla will contact owners of vehicles that cannot receive the driver monitoring fix via over-the-air update to schedule service appointments.

How Sources Differ

Regarding the scope of the hidden door handle recalls, the State Administration for Market Regulation recall notice states that Tesla is recalling approximately 2.98 million vehicles in China due to safety concerns regarding hidden door handles. In contrast, the State Administration for Market Regulation announcement states that a total of 11 carmakers in China are issuing recalls related to hidden door handles, affecting more than 4 million vehicles combined.

On the details of the regulatory environment, the State Administration for Market Regulation recall note focuses on Tesla recalling approximately 2.98 million vehicles in China due to safety concerns regarding hidden door handles. The Chinese government regulatory announcement shows that new rules banning hidden door handles will take effect on January 1, 2027, requiring cars sold in China to have mechanical releases on both the inside and outside of doors.

Concerning the manufacturers involved, the State Administration for Market Regulation announcement notes that a total of 11 carmakers in China are issuing recalls related to hidden door handles, affecting more than 4 million vehicles combined. The State Administration for Market Regulation recall notice specifies that Geely brands Zeekr and Lynk & Co. are among the manufacturers issuing recalls for hidden door handles.

Regarding the regulatory timeline, the State Administration for Market Regulation announcement mentions that a total of 11 carmakers in China are issuing recalls related to hidden door handles, affecting more than 4 million vehicles combined. The Chinese government regulatory announcement adds that new rules banning hidden door handles will take effect on January 1, 2027, requiring cars sold in China to have mechanical releases on both the inside and outside of doors.