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Introduction

The extensive recall involving Xiaomi and Tesla due to issues with hidden door handles—is this a mere oversight or a lesson for the Western automotive industry?

On August 21, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine issued a series of 12 recall announcements, primarily concerning hidden door handles, with Tesla and Xiaomi being the brands most significantly impacted.

Following this, Reuters published an in-depth article titled "Unveiling the Door Handle Controversy Behind China's Record Auto Recall," delving into the specifics of the incident.

The article highlighted that this marked China's largest vehicle recall in the past decade, with Tesla and eight other automakers recalling approximately 4.3 million vehicles in China over concerns that the doors might be challenging to open during emergencies.

This type of door handle, initially popularized by Tesla, is designed to sit flush with the car door's exterior, providing a sleek, minimalist appearance and reducing air resistance. Typically, when the owner approaches the vehicle, the door handle extends outward electronically.

It remains uncertain whether Tesla will initiate similar recalls in the United States or Europe. The company, along with automotive safety regulators in these regions, has not yet responded to inquiries for comment.

01 The Largest Recall in History

According to data compiled by the Automobile Commune from the official website of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, a staggering 4,368,685 vehicles are being recalled due to door handle issues.

Tesla tops the list, with 1,956,713 vehicles recalled. Additionally, 2,975,910 Tesla vehicles are being recalled due to issues with assisted driving functionality (existing attention monitoring mechanisms are inadequate to alert drivers when their gaze wanders).

Reuters quoted Michael Brooks, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, who stated that if manufacturers fail to provide a clear mechanical manual opening option in the event of a power failure, passengers or drivers may find it difficult to escape in life-threatening situations.

He pointed out that while some manufacturers have relatively intuitive systems, such as manually releasing the door by pulling an internal handle twice, Tesla's manual release mechanisms are either located inside the door storage compartment or concealed beneath a panel without clear labeling.

Some electric vehicle drivers have expressed confusion over the evolving designs of high-tech door handles.

Consulting firm JD Power noted in 2023, "The fundamental touchpoint of door handles is becoming an increasingly problematic area as manufacturers strive to redesign them."

The company highlighted that among the top 10 models with issues in this area, seven were electric vehicles.

Multiple lawsuits have alleged that Tesla's door handle design has resulted in injuries or fatalities of drivers or passengers trapped in vehicles that caught fire. Some drivers have also reported to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that they were unable to rescue their children from the vehicle after exiting.

02 Will Europe and the US Follow China's Example Regarding Hidden Door Handles?

China has ramped up its regulation of the electric vehicle industry this year and announced in February that it would ban "hidden" door handles starting in 2027, becoming the first country to implement such a measure.

In the United States, proposed legislation would mandate that vehicles equipped with such handles also have fail-safe manual door release mechanisms.

In July, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that door release issues should be addressed through the potential development of new formal safety standards applicable to all automakers.

This decision followed the agency's review of a petition calling for the recall of Tesla Model 3 sedans due to concerns that the door release controls might not be sufficiently clear in emergencies. The agency rejected the petition, opting instead for rulemaking to address the issue.

Last year, European regulators identified potential risks associated with door handle design as one of their top priorities. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has been drafting new standards to ensure that electronic handles can be opened from both inside and outside the vehicle in the event of a power failure.

Brooks noted that a recall in one country does not necessarily imply that automakers will take similar action in other markets. He said, "There is still a possibility that Tesla will oppose a recall in the US."

Editor-in-Charge: Shi Jie Editor: He Zengrong

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