Li Auto recalls thousands of Mega vans in China

According to a statement cited by Chinese media from the country’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the potential overheating issue is linked to insufficient corrosion protection in the coolant. This defect in the battery cooling system could, under extreme conditions, lead to a thermal runaway of the battery. The issue reportedly affects Mega models manufactured between 18 February 2024 and 27 December 2024.

Li Auto also addressed the recall on its official WeChat account. According to the company, a battery fire occurred on 23 October involving a 2024-model-year Mega in Shanghai, which attracted widespread public attention. Although the official investigation into the incident is still ongoing, the manufacturer stated that its own analysis confirmed a coolant defect as the cause of the fire. Li Auto also emphasised that the vehicle’s battery cells, supplied by CATL, were not responsible for the fire.

The recall is scheduled to begin on 7 November 2025. In the workshops, Li Auto will replace the coolant, the drive battery, and the front motor controller in affected vehicles. The company will also extend the standard warranty period.

The Mega was Li Auto’s first all-electric vehicle, launched in early 2024. Until then, the company had focused mainly on partially electrified models with range extenders. The 5.35-metre electric van, featuring an 800-volt architecture, has been on sale in China since March 2024. At launch, it was priced from 559,800 yuan (the equivalent of just under €73,000). The vehicle is equipped with a 102.7-kWh Qilin battery from CATL using NMC chemistry and offering an energy density of 170 Wh/kg. Its impressive 5C charging rate enables a maximum charging power of 520 kW. The van also features three rows of seats and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system delivering 400 kW of power.

bloomberg.com (paywall), carnewschina.com

This story was first published by Cora Werwitzke for electrive’s German edition.