Xpeng Issues Major Recall Over Safety Flaws

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng has announced a sweeping recall affecting tens of thousands of vehicles, citing potential safety issues that could put drivers at risk. The recall, one of the largest in the company’s history, comes after regulators flagged problems with the cars’ electronic systems, which may lead to unexpected power loss or braking failures.

Xpeng has not released the exact number of vehicles involved, but industry sources estimate the recall could cover over 80,000 units across multiple models.

The recall centers on a software glitch in the vehicle’s battery management system, which in rare cases can cause the car to shut down while driving. Xpeng says it will fix the issue with a free over-the-air update, no dealership visit required. However, owners are being urged to check their vehicle identification numbers online to see if their car is affected.

The company has also set up a dedicated hotline for concerned drivers.

This recall comes at a sensitive time for Xpeng, which has been battling slowing sales and investor skepticism. The company’s stock dipped slightly in after-hours trading following the announcement. Analysts say the swift response, announcing the fix within days of the regulator’s warning, could help Xpeng avoid a deeper crisis of confidence.

Still, the recall underscores the growing pains of China’s EV industry as it races to balance innovation with reliability. For now, Xpeng is betting that a transparent, proactive approach will keep customers on board.