Controversies

Tesla recalls 2.976 million vehicles in China over emergency door handle issue

Recall announced

China's State Administration for Market Regulation announced a recall plan by nine automakers, including Tesla, Xiaomi, Leapmotor, XPeng, Geely, Chery, Dongfeng, BAIC and FAW, covering more than 4 million vehicles due to issues with interior emergency mechanical door handles. Tesla's recall is the largest at 2.976 million vehicles, covering domestically produced Model 3 and Model Y as well as imported Model 3, Model X and Model S. The handles are similar in color to the interior, making them hard to identify and operate, which in extreme cases such as a severe collision causing low-voltage system failure could hinder occupants' escape and outside rescue. Tesla's remedies are to affix free warning labels at the emergency handle positions and to release an OTA software update adding an automatic window-lowering strategy after accidents. Tesla China customer service said not all owners need to visit a service center; stickers are expected to reach service centers by end of September and can be collected over a three-year implementation period, with the recall formally starting September 25, 2026.

Xpeng responds to controversy over a MONA product manager’s remark

Company response

Xpeng addressed controversy surrounding a remark made by a member of its MONA product team. Xpeng Group vice president Thomas stated that the product team’s “老登” remark was teasing directed at several internal core leaders and was not aimed at any external users. The response characterized the comment as internal in nature and clarified that it did not target users outside the company.

Xpeng Group vice president Thomas said the product team’s “老登” remark was teasing directed at several internal core leaders and was not aimed at any external users.

Discussion over creator fees for X9 promotion

Screenshots allegedly showing low proposed fees for social-media creators promoting the X9 prompted criticism of XPeng’s communications process. Commentators also suggested that an external media agency may have been responsible; the available material does not resolve responsibility.

Procurement anti-corruption investigation

Reports stated that procurement executive Li Feng was suspended and that multiple employees cooperated with an internal anti-corruption investigation. No final investigation result is supplied in the reference material.

Shanghai sales store fined 100,000 yuan for collecting facial information without consent

In 2021, Shanghai XPeng Motors Sales Service Company was fined 100,000 yuan by the Xuhui District market regulation authorities because its store collected facial information without consumers' consent and without informing them of the purpose. The relevant system collected and uploaded 431,623 photos within half a year. XPeng apologized, accepted the penalty, and said it had deleted the data; the incident was limited to the stores listed in the penalty.

Owner complaints over vehicle noise

A third-party marketing study reported that more than one hundred owners sought answers over vehicle noise issues and criticized the clarity of frontline responses. The available source does not establish a regulator-confirmed defect or recall.

Reported P7 power-loss incident

A media report described an owner’s allegation that a P7 displayed a power-loss warning and could not be restarted. The report is treated as an allegation rather than a verified systemic safety finding.

Short-cycle G3 replacement and price/benefit disparities trigger concentrated rights protection by existing owners

In July 2019, adjustments to the Xpeng G3 facelift's range and pricing caused dissatisfaction and concentrated rights protection by users who had previously purchased the vehicle. He Xiaopeng apologized, and the company subsequently adjusted compensation arrangements for existing owners, proposing points or a value-preserving trade-in option after a certain period. This item concerns product replacement communication and consumer rights disputes.