Tesla, Xiaomi, Leapmotor, XPeng and Zeekr are among nine automaker groups covered by door-release-related recalls affecting 4,275,743 vehicles in China.
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) published the notices today. For most of the affected vehicles, the emergency interior handle is close in colour to the surrounding trim, making it harder to identify.
That becomes a safety concern after a severe crash if the low-voltage electrical system fails. Occupants may struggle to find the mechanical release quickly, while rescuers could face the same problem from outside on some models.
Tesla accounts for most of the total, with 2,975,910 Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X vehicles affected. The recall covers China-made and imported cars. Tesla will add warning labels where required and issue an over-the-air (OTA) software update adding a post-crash window-lowering function.
Xiaomi is recalling 390,435 SU7 electric cars. Its remedy also includes warning labels and an OTA update covering central-locking and window-lowering logic.
Leapmotor follows with 371,200 C01 and C11 vehicles, while XPeng is recalling 264,842 G6, P7+ and X9 models. Zeekr’s recall covers 92,658 007 and X vehicles.
Smaller recalls involve 68,488 Chery iCar 03 and Fengyun X3 vehicles, 53,452 Dongfeng models, 46,850 Arcfox Koala EVs and 11,908 FAW Hongqi EH7 and Tiangong 08 vehicles.
The Arcfox case differs slightly. SAMR said the Koala’s right-rear sliding-door emergency-release cover lacks dedicated wording, making it harder to identify in an emergency.
Recall dates also vary. Several begin immediately or from Aug 22-24, while Tesla’s door-handle recall starts on Sept 25 and Chery’s on Sept 18.
The remedies are not identical. Most involve clearer emergency-release labels, while several manufacturers will also use OTA updates to lower the windows after a serious collision. Chery will replace its emergency-handle cover, while Arcfox will replace the Koala’s sliding-door release cover.
SAMR’s Tesla notice separately covers 2,740,642 China-made Model 3 and Model Y vehicles over driver-attention monitoring when a combined driver-assistance system is active. That figure is not included in the 4,275,743 door-release total.
The recalls come ahead of China’s mandatory GB 48001-2026 door-handle safety standard. It takes effect on Jan 1, 2027, with transition provisions extending to Jan 1, 2029.
