Xiaomi Recalls Over 115,000 SU7 Sedans in China After Fatal Crash Raises Safety Concerns
Xiaomi’s first car, the SU7 sedan, has quickly become one of the most popular EVs in China, but the tech giant is now facing its most serious challenge yet. The company has announced a massive recall of 116,887 SU7 units due to issues with its advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS), raising questions about the safety of semi-autonomous vehicles on Chinese roads.
The Trigger : A Fatal March Accident
The recall comes just six months after a tragic high-speed crash in March on the Dezhou-Shangrao Expressway. According to local reports, the SU7 was traveling at 116 km/h (72 mph) with the Navigate on Autopilot system active. While approaching a construction zone, the system identified an obstacle and initiated braking. The driver attempted to intervene, steering left and applying moderate braking before turning back right. Moments later, the car slammed into a concrete divider, igniting a fire that claimed the lives of all three college students inside.
This devastating accident brought national attention to Xiaomi’s ambitious entry into the auto industry, raising concerns that the company’s Level 2+ driver-assistance features were not yet mature enough for real-world conditions.
Scale of the Recall
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) stated that the SU7’s ADAS has “insufficient recognition capability and may not adequately detect and warn drivers in certain scenarios,” particularly in extreme cases such as construction zones or sudden obstacles.
The recall covers SU7 models manufactured between February 2024 and August 2025, representing about 38% of the 305,055 SU7s sold in China by July 2025. Xiaomi has emphasized that the issue will be fixed through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, meaning owners will not need to physically visit dealerships.
New Safety Standards Incoming
The recall coincides with the rollout of new Chinese safety regulations for Level 2 ADAS-equipped cars, set to take effect in 2027. These standards will impose stricter requirements on recognition capabilities, obstacle detection, and driver alerts. Industry analysts suggest Xiaomi’s recall may be partly aimed at aligning with these future benchmarks.
Market Impact and Consumer Trust
While some fear this high-profile recall could damage Xiaomi’s credibility in the EV sector, others believe it underscores the brand’s transparency and long-term commitment to safety.
“A recall due to a faulty driver-assistance system may deter some Chinese consumers from buying Xiaomi cars,” said Chen Jinzhu, CEO of consultancy Shanghai Mingliang Auto Service, in an interview with the South China Morning Post. “But the recall also shows Xiaomi’s commitment and confidence in resolving the issues.”
For a brand that has built its reputation on innovation, affordability, and mass-market appeal, Xiaomi’s handling of this crisis will likely determine how Chinese consumers perceive its future vehicles.
