Investigation of Xiaomi Car Accident Reveals Doors Failed After Power Loss

A Xiaomi vehicle accident in Chengdu, China, has raised serious safety concerns after investigation reports revealed that the car’s doors could not be opened due to a low-voltage system failure. The crash occurred on October 13, 2025, at around 3 a.m., when a 31-year-old driver, identified as Deng, collided with another car on Tianfu Avenue South, crossed the central divider, and the vehicle subsequently caught fire. Forensic analysis showed the car was traveling at 203 km/h three seconds before impact and slowed to 167 km/h at the moment of collision. The inability to open the doors prevented Deng from escaping, despite bystanders’ rescue attempts, which included breaking a window and attempting to manually operate the interior handle. The car featured electric door release buttons but lacked mechanical handles accessible without power. This incident marks the third Xiaomi vehicle fire in 2025 and the second highlighting potential door safety failures. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has responded by drafting new regulations requiring mechanical handles operable without power, with implementation deadlines for new and existing models set for 2027 and 2029, respectively. While the driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol, his family disputes full blame and is seeking further investigation into possible vehicle malfunctions. The case has sparked nationwide debate on EV safety, particularly regarding door design and battery-related risks in collisions.