China Bans Hidden Car Door Handles, Citing Safety Concerns

New rule requires all vehicles sold in China to have mechanical door releases starting in 2027

Feb. 2, 2026 at 4:47pm

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The Chinese government has issued a new rule that will ban the use of hidden, electronically actuated door handles on vehicles sold in the country starting January 1, 2027. The rule requires all cars to have mechanical door releases both on the exterior and interior of the vehicle, citing safety concerns after several fatal incidents where occupants were trapped inside due to power failures affecting the electronic door locks.

Why it matters

This new regulation from China, the world's largest auto market, is a significant move that could influence vehicle design standards globally. Hidden door handles have become a popular feature, especially on electric vehicles, but have raised safety concerns about occupants becoming trapped. China's decision to mandate mechanical door releases aims to improve vehicle safety and prevent future tragedies.

The details

Under the new rules published by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, each door on a vehicle (excluding the tailgate) must be equipped with a mechanically released external door handle as well as a mechanical release on the interior. The regulation comes after several high-profile fatal incidents in China where occupants were unable to exit their vehicles due to issues with the electronically-operated hidden door handles. An investigation by Bloomberg last year found problems with Tesla's concealed door handles, leading the U.S. NHTSA to open a defect investigation into certain Tesla models.

  • The new safety rules will go into effect on January 1, 2027.
  • The Chinese government began the process of developing the new standard in May 2025, with over 40 domestic and foreign automakers participating in the research and discussions.

The players

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology

The government agency that issued the new regulation banning hidden car door handles in vehicles sold in China.

Tesla

The American electric vehicle company whose hidden, electronically-actuated door handles were a key inspiration for the new Chinese regulation, though Tesla was not listed as an official 'drafter' of the standard.

Bloomberg

The news outlet that conducted an investigation last year uncovering problems with Tesla's concealed door handles, leading to a U.S. federal investigation.

U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

The U.S. federal agency that opened a defect investigation into certain Tesla Model Y and Model 3 door handles after the Bloomberg report.

Xiaomi SU7

The Chinese electric sedan model involved in a fatal crash that prompted regulators to propose changes to EV door handle standards.

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What’s next

The new regulation will go into effect on January 1, 2027, giving automakers time to redesign their vehicles to comply with the mechanical door release requirements.

The takeaway

China's decision to ban hidden car door handles sets an important precedent for vehicle safety standards globally. This move highlights growing concerns about the potential risks of advanced vehicle technologies and the need to prioritize occupant safety, even as the auto industry continues to innovate.