China Auto Recall Puts Hidden Door Handles Under Scrutiny
China’s record vehicle recall has put electronic door handles under intense scrutiny, with safety concerns growing over whether drivers and passengers can escape quickly during emergencies.
Tesla and several other automakers said Friday they will recall about 4.3 million vehicles in China. The companies are also introducing software updates and other measures to address concerns about emergency door access.
Why Electronic Door Handles Face Safety Questions
Tesla helped popularize flush-mounted door handles, which sit almost level with the vehicle’s body. The design gives cars a cleaner appearance and can also reduce aerodynamic drag.
Typically, the handles extend electronically when the driver approaches. However, the system can become a safety concern if the vehicle loses electrical power.
Traditional door handles usually provide a straightforward mechanical way to open a door. By contrast, some modern electric vehicles rely heavily on electronic buttons and switches.
Michael Brooks, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, said passengers could struggle to find or operate manual releases during a serious emergency.
Tesla’s manual releases can also sit inside door pockets or beneath panels, making them difficult to identify without clear instructions.
EV Drivers Report Confusing Door Designs
The growing use of high-tech handles has already raised concerns among drivers.
Consultants JD Power identified door-handle operation as a developing problem area in 2023. Seven of the 10 vehicle models with the most problems in that category were electric vehicles.
Meanwhile, several lawsuits have alleged that Tesla’s door-handle systems contributed to situations in which occupants became trapped inside burning vehicles.
Some drivers have also complained to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about difficulties getting children out of vehicles.
Which Vehicles Are Included in China’s Recall?
Tesla and several other automakers announced recalls and software updates on Friday. The campaign covers nearly 4.3 million vehicles in China.
Companies including Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Xpeng and Geely also announced major recalls. Some of the automakers described the actions as their largest recalls on record.
However, the exact number of vehicles worldwide using electronic door handles remains unclear. Automakers have introduced the technology across dozens of newer electric vehicle models in recent years.
China Moves to Ban Hidden Door Handles
China has tightened oversight of its electric vehicle industry. In February, authorities announced plans to ban hidden door handles from 2027.
That would make China the first country to introduce such a broad restriction on the design.
The United States is also considering new safety requirements. Proposed legislation would require vehicles using these handles to include a fail-safe manual release.
The NHTSA said in July that regulators should consider creating a formal safety standard covering emergency door releases across the auto industry.
US and Europe Examine Door Handle Safety
The NHTSA reached that position after reviewing a petition seeking a recall of Tesla Model 3 vehicles. The petition raised concerns that emergency door releases might not be clear enough during a crisis.
However, the agency rejected the recall petition and instead favored addressing the issue through new regulations.
European regulators have also identified electronic door handles as a safety priority. Meanwhile, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has been working on standards that would ensure occupants can open electronic handles from inside and outside after a vehicle loses power.
Experts caution that a recall in China does not automatically mean automakers will take the same action elsewhere.
As regulators in China, the United States and Europe examine the technology, automakers face growing pressure to make modern vehicle doors easier to operate when every second matters.
