Xiaomi recalls 116,887 SU7 vehicles over autopilot concerns

Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has announced a recall of 116,887 SU7 Standard Edition vehicles following safety concerns related to the autopilot system, marking the company’s first major automotive recall since launching its electric vehicle division.

The recall affects vehicles manufactured between February 6, 2024 and August 30, 2025, and was filed with China’s State Administration for Market Regulation on September 19, 2025. The affected units represent nearly all Standard Edition deliveries since the model’s March launch, with Xiaomi having delivered over 250,000 total SU7 units across all variants by August.

Technical concerns prompt action

The safety concerns centre on the SU7 Standard Edition’s vision and radar-based autopilot system, which differs significantly from the lidar-equipped configurations used in higher-specification Pro and Max variants.

According to regulatory filings, the issue involves potential software inconsistencies in the Pilot Pro autonomous driving system that could cause unexpected vehicle behaviour during certain driving scenarios, particularly in complex urban environments where the vision-only system must rely solely on cameras and radar sensors.

Xiaomi says it will address the issue through over-the-air software updates provided free of charge to affected customers. The company is also offering physical inspections at authorised service centres for owners preferring in-person service.

Fatal accident highlights risks

The recall appears to be a response to a fatal accident on a highway in March, where three university students lost their lives after their car made contact with the highway dividing barrier during a roadworks situation.

Xiaomi reported that the car was in autonomous driving mode at the time, with the car prompting the driver to take control before the accident. The request was initially ignored by the driver.

The incident prompted Chinese authorities to more strictly control the wording used by manufacturers regarding their advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) technologies, ensuring that no suggestions are made that the car can drive itself. Many users appeared confused by claims of level 2.5 and level 2.9 autonomous driving systems.

Regulatory environment tightens

Regulations in China require a driver using any ADAS system below certified level 3 to be prepared to take over at any time and to hold the steering wheel at all times. All ADAS systems require drivers to take a mandatory test prior to using the system to learn what situations the system can and cannot handle.

Currently no cars are certified for level 3 autonomous driving in China and only robotaxis in trial operations are certified for level 4.

The recall notification process began in September, with Xiaomi contacting registered owners through multiple channels including direct phone calls, text messages, and notifications through the company’s official mobile application.

The recall comes as Xiaomi continues expanding its automotive operations, with the SU7 being joined by the SU7 Ultra and YU7 SUV in recent months. Neither of these newer models are affected by the recall.

While Xiaomi vehicles are not currently sold in New Zealand, the recall highlights ongoing global concerns about the safety and marketing of semi-autonomous driving systems, an issue relevant to all markets as these technologies become more widespread.