Tesla, Kia, and BYD are conducting voluntary corrective measures (recalls) in China.
The State Administration for Market Regulation of China announced on the 24th through its website the recall plans of major automobile companies, including these companies. Tesla will recall 871,087 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles produced in China from Jan. 3, 2022, to Sept. 23, 2023, due to steering issues. Additionally, it will recall 335,716 imported Model S and Model X, as well as Chinese-produced Model 3 and Model Y vehicles produced from July 16, 2023, to Dec. 14, 2024, due to rear camera issues.
Tesla plans to distribute a software update and guide the models that cannot receive the update remotely to receive free parts replacement. Bloomberg analyzed that the approximately 1.2 million Tesla electric vehicles subject to this recall represent half of the total sold in China as of the end of 2024.
Hyundai Motor Company (China) will recall 69,208 Kia Sorento, 8,629 Borrego (Mohave), 4,282 Carens, 3,306 K7, 371 Soul, and 30 K9 vehicles. Jiangsu Weida Kia has submitted a recall plan for approximately 400,000 vehicles, including 211,797 Sportage produced from July 8, 2010, to Aug. 20, 2014, and 180,401 K5 produced from Jan. 5, 2011, to Sept. 29, 2015. Authorities explained that issues with the hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) are the main reason for the recalls of Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
Xiaomi and BYD also decided to recall 30,931 electric vehicles and 6,843 vehicles, respectively. Xiaomi will recall some SU7 vehicles produced from Feb. 6 to Nov. 26 of last year due to potential performance insufficiencies of the parking assist system. This is reported to be the first issue since the SU7 was launched.
Xiaomi, a Chinese smartphone company, announced its entry into the electric vehicle market with the launch of the SU7 last March, which reportedly surpassed Tesla Model 3 in sales in December, according to Reuters. In addition, BMW, Volkswagen, and Dongfeng Honda have also announced recall plans.