Tesla leads China's largest EV recall over hidden door handlesTesla and eight other automakers announced on Friday a sweeping action covering roughly 4.3 million vehicles in China, citing safety concerns about emergency door handles that occupants may struggle to find or use after a collision — an action that sets a new record for the country's automotive industry, according to Reuters.Tesla's portion of the recall is the largest among the nine companies, covering 2.98 million imported and China-made Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles. The recall is set to begin September 25, according to the State Administration for Market Regulation. Tesla said that mechanical emergency door-release handles may be hard to identify after a severe collision and electrical system failure, potentially trapping occupants or blocking rescuers. The company's remedy includes warning labels and a remote software update that automatically lowers vehicle windows after a collision.Xiaomi will recall about 390,000 vehicles, Leapmotor about 371,000, and Xpeng about 264,000. Geely Holding brands Zeekr and Lynk & Co. are also among the companies filing recalls. Most of the actions involve installing warning labels on vehicles at no charge to owners, along with over-the-air software updates.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe recalls trace back to a door design increasingly common in electric vehicles, where entry is controlled through a key fob, smartphone app, or capacitive panel instead of a conventional mechanical handle. While automakers using electronic latches generally include a physical backup release for emergencies, regulators have found that these handles are frequently too obscure for occupants or rescuers to find and use quickly. A fatal incident reported by Chinese state media in October involved a Xiaomi SU7 sedan whose doors bystanders were unable to open after a crash and fire, killing the driver.China said in February that it would ban hidden, electronically actuated exterior door handles starting in 2027, making it the first country to phase out the design, according to TechCrunch.The financial impact of the recalls may be limited. Sam Fiorani, vice president at research firm AutoForecast Solutions, noted that remote software delivery keeps expenses down, and that any hands-on repair work involved would be inexpensive relative to the large-scale recalls of previous eras.The issue is also drawing scrutiny from U.S. regulators: last month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced it was weighing new safety rules aimed at reducing the danger of passengers becoming trapped in vehicles when electrical systems fail.