China EV Door-Release Recall Covers 4.28 Million Vehicles

Quick answer: China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) published nine related recall notices on August 21, 2026 covering 4,275,743 vehicles from Tesla, Xiaomi, Leapmotor, XPeng, Zeekr, Chery, Dongfeng, Arcfox and FAW. The notices concern emergency mechanical interior door releases or release covers that may be difficult to identify because they resemble surrounding trim. In the extreme case of a serious crash that disables the low-voltage electrical system, that could delay escape or rescue. Repairs are free and vary by manufacturer.

Which vehicles are included in China’s door-release recall?

BYDToday calculated the 4,275,743 total by adding the vehicle counts in nine SAMR notices published within ten minutes on August 21. The notices cover vehicles in China; Tesla’s notice includes both China-built and imported cars. Production dates differ by model, so a model name alone does not establish that a specific car is affected.

The count is not distributed evenly. Tesla accounts for 2,975,910 vehicles, or 69.6% of the total. Xiaomi and Leapmotor are the next-largest groups, at 390,435 and 371,200 vehicles respectively.

What is the defect?

For eight of the nine groups, SAMR says the emergency mechanical interior handle or its cover is close in color to the surrounding trim and is therefore difficult to identify and operate. Arcfox’s notice is more specific: the right-rear sliding door’s emergency-release cover lacks dedicated wording and is not easy to recognize.

The risk appears only under an extreme condition described by the regulator: a serious collision disables the vehicle’s low-voltage system. If powered releases stop working, occupants or rescuers may need the mechanical backup. A hard-to-find backup could then delay a quick exit or external rescue.

This distinction matters. Headlines often call the campaign a “hidden door-handle recall,” but the nine notices focus on the interior emergency mechanical release or its cover. They do not establish that every exterior flush handle or every powered door system in the listed models is defective.

What will manufacturers change?

Every notice promises a free remedy, but the work is not identical:

• Labels or markings: all nine groups will add clearer identification or a labeled cover where needed.
• Replacement parts: Chery will replace the interior release cover with an improved part; Arcfox will replace the right-rear release cover with one carrying a text prompt.
• Software: Tesla, Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Zeekr and Arcfox will add or improve a post-crash window-lowering strategy. Xiaomi also says it will optimize central unlocking. Dongfeng adds the window strategy only for the Nammi 06 and Aeolus L8, not the eπ007 or eπ008 in the same notice.
• Label-only notices: XPeng and FAW specify a warning label without an OTA remedy in these notices.

Some vehicles may already have the required warning label. Tesla and Xiaomi state that those vehicles do not need a duplicate label, although any listed software update still follows the manufacturer’s recall process.

What should an owner do?

1. Do not rely on the model name alone. Each notice specifies production-date ranges, and not every vehicle bearing the same badge is necessarily included.
2. Watch for an official notification. Manufacturers say they will use combinations of apps, text messages, phone calls, email, registered mail, in-car messages or authorized dealers.
3. Check the VIN through an official channel. Owners can use the SAMR recall-information query or the manufacturer’s official app, hotline or service network.
4. Complete the free remedy. Start dates differ by manufacturer; Tesla and Chery begin later than the others.
5. Learn the mechanical release location now. The recall exists because the backup may not be obvious during an emergency. Consult the vehicle manual and manufacturer instructions rather than experimenting during a crash.

What is known, and what remains unknown?

Related BYDToday owner guides

For company and product background, see BYDToday’s owner pages for Tesla China, Xiaomi EV, the Xiaomi SU7/YU7 model guide, XPeng, Leapmotor, Zeekr and Chery. Those pages provide brand context; this article owns the distinct August 21 cross-brand recall and owner-action intent.

Frequently asked questions

How many vehicles are covered by China’s emergency door-release recall?

Nine SAMR notices published on August 21, 2026 list 4,275,743 vehicles in total. BYDToday calculated that number by adding the nine non-overlapping notice totals; it excludes Tesla’s separate driver-attention OTA recall.

Which brands and models are included?

The notices cover Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model X and Model S; Xiaomi SU7; Leapmotor C01 and C11; XPeng G6, P7+ and X9; Zeekr 007 and X; Chery iCAR 03 and Fulwin X3; Dongfeng Nammi 06, Aeolus L8, eπ007 and eπ008; Arcfox Kaola; and FAW Hongqi EH7 and Tiangong 08. Only specified production periods are included.

What exactly is wrong with the emergency door release?

SAMR says the mechanical interior release or its cover may be difficult to identify because it resembles surrounding trim, or in the Arcfox Kaola lacks a dedicated text prompt. In a serious crash that disables low-voltage power, that could delay opening a door with the mechanical backup.

Is this the same as China’s rule on hidden exterior door handles?

No. These recall notices concern the visibility and identification of emergency mechanical releases inside the vehicle. The notices do not state that a future rule for exterior handle design directly caused the recalls.

Will owners have to pay for the repair?

No. Each SAMR notice says the manufacturer will provide the specified label, cover replacement and/or software update free of charge. Owners should verify their VIN and follow the manufacturer’s official recall notification.

Primary sources

1. China State Administration for Market Regulation, defective-product recall notices index, checked August 23, 2026.
2. SAMR recall notices for Tesla, Xiaomi, Leapmotor, XPeng, Zeekr, Chery, Dongfeng, Arcfox and FAW, all published August 21, 2026.

Editorial note: Vehicle counts, production periods, start dates and remedies can change if a regulator or manufacturer amends a recall. Check the VIN through an official source before acting. The two photographs are illustrative, not images of recall inspections.