Xpeng’s Trust Crisis: P7 Owners Allege Steering Failures and “Secret Glue Fixes”

“They fixed my car in secret.”

Imagine discovering that your vehicle underwent a repair without your knowledge or consent. This sense of betrayal is precisely what numerous Xpeng P7 owners in China are currently experiencing. Xpeng, a brand that entered the market as a champion of the “Smart EV,” is now faltering on the most fundamental principles: safety and trust.

This incident is more than a simple component failure; it’s a critical case study of how a “new force” tech company grapples with the harsh realities of traditional manufacturing quality control.

What’s the Problem? Steering Wheels Locking Up Mid-Drive

The core issue lies with the steering system. Multiple P7 owners have reported terrifying incidents where the steering wheel suddenly becomes heavy or locks entirely, a life-threatening malfunction.

• Suspected Cause: The consensus among owners and industry observers points to inadequate waterproofing of the steering system’s interface connector. Water ingress is believed to cause a short circuit, leading to system failure.
• Xpeng’s Response: Officially, Xpeng service centers are offering two solutions: applying a sealant glue to the problematic connector and replacing the entire steering assembly—but only for vehicles that have already failed.

This might seem like a standard quality issue, but the source of owner outrage lies in how Xpeng is handling it.

The Core of the Controversy: A Lack of Transparency

The owners’ grievances can be summarized in three points:

1. Allegations of “Secret Repairs”: Some owners claim their vehicles were brought in for a routine “inspection,” only to have the glue fix applied secretly without their consent.
2. Distrust in the “Patchwork” Solution: There is no official data proving the long-term durability and safety of the glue fix. On consumer forums, reports are surfacing of the same steering issue reoccurring even after the fix was applied.
3. Reactive, Not Proactive, Stance: Xpeng is only addressing cars that have already broken down. Owners of potentially affected vehicles are demanding to know which production batches are at risk, but are reportedly being told “your car is fine for now.”

Global Context: How Did Tesla Handle a Similar Issue?

Is this type of quality issue unique to Xpeng? No. And this is where applying the Context-First Principle is crucial for an objective analysis.

Recalls are a part of the auto industry. What matters is the response. In 2018, Tesla famously issued a voluntary recall for over 120,000 Model S vehicles due to potential corrosion on power steering bolts. They acted proactively and transparently based on a potential risk.

This comparison puts Xpeng’s current strategy into sharp relief:

• Tesla (2018): Acknowledged potential risk → Transparent communication → Broad, voluntary recall → Short-term cost, long-term trust gained.
• Xpeng (Now): Acknowledged failures → Controlled information, reactive response → “Patchwork” fixes for individual cases → Short-term cost savings, risk of long-term trust collapse.

For American and European consumers, this difference in corporate responsibility is stark. A recall is seen as a sign of a mature company taking ownership, whereas a “silent fix” strategy is often viewed as deceptive and puts brands like Ford or Volkswagen, who have established recall protocols, in a different light.

Conclusion: A Crisis of Trust, Not Just Technology

With an online group of over 500 affected owners demanding action, the pressure on Xpeng is mounting. They are calling for an official recall and transparency about the affected production batches. For a brand that built its market share on “value for money,” this crisis could come with the highest possible price: consumer trust.

The Xpeng P7 steering controversy is a powerful reminder that for any car company, flashy tech is meaningless without a solid foundation in manufacturing quality and corporate accountability. How Xpeng navigates this crisis of trust will be a defining moment for its future.

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