Xiaomi is carrying out a large-scale recall in China that affects more than 115,000 units of its popular SU7 electric sedan, following safety concerns related to the vehicle’s driver-assistance system. The decision comes in the wake of a tragic accident roughly six months ago, in which three university students were killed when their SU7, traveling at 97 km/h, struck a concrete barrier while operating under the “Navigate on Autopilot” mode.
Industry experts say the recall could have mixed effects on the brand’s reputation. Chen Jinzhu, CEO of Shanghai Mingliang Auto Service, told the South China Morning Post that while the issue may make some buyers hesitant to consider Xiaomi vehicles in the future, the company’s proactive recall also demonstrates a willingness to address safety flaws transparently and shows confidence in its long-term product reliability.
According to China’s State Administration for Market Regulation, the problem stems from the SU7’s driver-assistance technology, which has “insufficient recognition capability.” Regulators warned that the system might fail to adequately identify certain hazards or provide timely alerts to the driver, which is a requirement for vehicles equipped with Level 2 or Level 2+ driver-assistance features. In particular, the highway pilot function may not deliver the necessary warnings or corrective support in more extreme driving situations, creating potential safety risks.
The recall covers 116,887 cars produced between February 2024 and August 2025, representing nearly 38 percent of all 305,055 SU7 units sold in China since the model’s launch in early 2024. Instead of requiring customers to bring their cars into service centers, Xiaomi confirmed that the issue would be fixed through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, allowing the company to implement corrections remotely and efficiently.
This recall comes at a time when China is tightening its regulations on semi-autonomous driving technology. New safety standards aimed at Level 2 driver-assistance systems are set to be implemented in 2027, establishing stricter guidelines for performance and hazard recognition. Analysts suggest that the Xiaomi case could become a testing ground for how Chinese automakers adapt to the evolving regulatory environment.
The deadliest incident tied to the SU7 occurred in March on the Dezhou-Shangrao Expressway. Local media reported that the car was traveling at around 116 km/h with Autopilot navigation engaged when it detected what it flagged as an obstacle near a construction zone. The system began braking, prompting the driver to intervene—first steering left with light braking, then easing the car back to the right. Despite these actions, the SU7 ultimately slammed into a concrete divider and caught fire, resulting in the deaths of all three passengers.
Xiaomi now faces the dual challenge of restoring consumer trust while ensuring its driver-assistance technology can meet both public expectations and forthcoming legal standards.