More than four million electric vehicles are being recalled in China after safety concerns emerged over door mechanisms, in what is being described as the largest automotive recall in the country's history.
Tesla is among the automakers affected by the action, which was reported by Jornal de Notícias and other outlets on Saturday. The recall involves at least 12 brands, according to Quatro Rodas, and centers on a risk linked to embedded door handles.
The problem relates to flush-mounted door handles, which sit level with the car body when not in use. Estadão reports that these handles are the cause of the record-breaking recall. The concern is that the handles may fail to operate properly in certain situations, potentially preventing occupants from opening doors in an emergency.
Folha de S.Paulo states that eleven automakers have announced the recall, which covers more than 4.3 million electric cars. The scale of the action surpasses previous recall campaigns in the Chinese market, making it the largest ever conducted there.
The recall highlights a design trade-off that has become common in modern EVs, where manufacturers favor sleek, aerodynamic door handles that retract flush into the vehicle. While these handles improve the vehicle's appearance and reduce drag, they introduce moving parts that can malfunction.
Regulators in China have been tightening oversight of EV safety as the market expands rapidly. The coordinated recall involving multiple major manufacturers suggests the issue is systemic rather than isolated to a single brand.
Consumers affected by the recall will be watching how quickly the automakers can implement repairs and whether similar door handle designs in other markets come under scrutiny.
