Fatal Xiaomi EV Crash Raises Questions Over Door-Handle Safety
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A driver involved in a fatal high-speed crash of a Xiaomi Corp. electric vehicle late last year burned to death after the car’s doors failed to open because of a power outage, according to a forensic report.
The judicial appraisal, obtained by Caixin, found that the Xiaomi SU7 was traveling at 167 kilometers per hour (104 mph) when it collided with another vehicle in Chengdu on Oct. 13, 2025. The impact triggered a short circuit in the battery, cutting off the low-voltage system that controls the electronic door releases. Because the low-voltage battery was severed from the circuit, the exterior door handles failed to function, trapping the driver inside as the vehicle caught fire.
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- A Xiaomi SU7 electric car crash in October 2025 killed the driver, who was trapped due to electronic door failure caused by a power outage after a 167 km/h collision.
- The incident renewed debate over flush door handles and battery safety; similar fatal Xiaomi vehicle fires occurred in early 2025.
- China mandated mechanical exterior door handles for new vehicles by 2027; Xiaomi will update models to comply with these standards.
- Xiaomi Corp.
- A Xiaomi Corp. electric vehicle, the SU7, was involved in a fatal high-speed crash in October 2025. The driver burned to death after the car's doors, controlled by a low-voltage system, failed to open due to a power outage caused by a battery short circuit. This incident, along with two other similar fires since early 2025, has intensified public debate on electric vehicle safety, particularly concerning flush electronic door handles and battery stability. Xiaomi plans an updated SU7 model, to be released in Q4 2026, which will comply with new regulations requiring mechanical exterior door handles.
- March 2025：
- A previous crash in Tongling, Anhui province, involving a Xiaomi vehicle resulted in three deaths, with reports of doors failing to open.
- Oct. 13, 2025：
- A Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle, driven by Deng, collided with another vehicle in Chengdu, traveling at 167 km/h, resulting in a fatal crash and fire after a power outage disabled the door releases.
- Oct. 13, 2025：
- Chengdu police stated Deng was suspected of drunk driving.
- By five minutes after Oct. 13, 2025 accident：
- The vehicle exploded three times and was engulfed in fire, resulting in the burning death of the driver.
- Jan. 21, 2026：
- A traffic accident liability statement assigned full responsibility for the crash to Deng.
- Jan. 28, 2026：
- Chinese regulators approved new mandatory automotive standards requiring mechanical and accessible exterior door handles that function after power failure for all car doors.
- Feb. 10, 2026：
- Xiaomi founder Lei Jun announced production of the first-generation SU7 has ended; a compliant updated model will be released in the fourth quarter of 2026.
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