Story no.295National· ChinaOngoingRecalls and safety +2Low Several countries (2)5 Nov → 7 Nov15 facts · 100 art.

China: Wave of fake recall SMS messages targeting several car manufacturers

In early November 2026, Li Auto denied any recall related to airbags and stated that SMS messages mentioning such a campaign were not official notifications. In the following days, Volkswagen China, BMW China, Toyota, Aito, BYD, Volvo Cars, and Nissan also issued warnings or denials in response to fake recall SMS messages and scam attempts targeting their customers. Voyah simultaneously denied promotional prices circulating online. On November 6, several manufacturers including BYD, BMW, Volkswagen, Li Auto, and Toyota issued a joint response. On November 7, fake SMS messages were reported shortly after the announcement of a recall for 800,000 vehicles, with one owner having lost 20,000 yuan according to reported information.

In brief

Ongoing story bringing together 15 events involving Li Auto, BMW, Volkswagen and 16 more, in 2 countries (Chine, Japon), followed from 5 November 2026 to 7 November 2026. 100 articles from 3 sources (recalls and safety, plants, jobs and earnings, sales and market); last updated on 7 November 2026 at 14:33.

What is established

Method

Confirmed(8)

13
Li Auto stated that no airbag recall was underway and that SMS messages announcing such a recall were unofficial and fraudulent.
13 independent sources电子工程专辑, 凤凰网, 富途牛牛, 星岛环球网, ThePaper.cn +8
11
Volkswagen China stated that airbag recall SMS messages were not official and aimed to obtain personal information.
11 independent sources驱动之家, 盖世汽车, 观察者网, 凤凰网, 中金在线 +6
11
BMW China warned about fake recall SMS messages, advised deleting them, and indicated that an official recall does not request sensitive banking data.
11 independent sources电子工程专辑, 富途牛牛, 汽车之家, 星岛环球网, 中金在线 +6
10
Aito stated that no airbag recall was underway and that corresponding SMS messages were scams or unofficial messages.
10 independent sources凤凰网科技, 凤凰网, 驱动之家, QQ News, 21财经 +3
8
Voyah denied false price information regarding its models, and its legal department announced it intended to take legal action.
8 independent sources大河财立方, Jiemian.com, 驱动之家, 网通社, 搜狐网 +2
7
GAC Toyota published a warning about fake recall SMS messages.
7 independent sources电子工程专辑, ThePaper.cn, 四川在线, 21财经, 自贡网 +2
4
BYD warned against fake recall notifications, noting that fraudsters were impersonating a regulatory authority.
4 independent sources观点网, 东方财富网, Moomoo, 证券之星
4
Volvo Cars and Nissan issued statements denying or alerting about fake recall SMS/calls.
4 independent sources凤凰网, 网通社, 凤凰网科技

Single source so far(2)

SAIC-GM stated that fraudsters were sending fake airbag recall SMS messages under its name. (according to 网通社)
An owner was scammed out of 20,000 yuan via a fake recall SMS, following the announcement of a real recall for 800,000 vehicles. (according to 东方财富)

Updates(9)

7 Nov, 15h22Mention of Mercedes in a list of manufacturers that issued a warning (article 49).
7 Nov, 15h22Addition of Nissan on November 7: Warning against fake recall calls/SMS.
7 Nov, 15h22Addition of Volvo on November 7: Denial regarding fake airbag recall SMS messages.
7 Nov, 08h49Addition of a victim case: An owner reportedly lost 20,000 yuan after a fake recall SMS, while a real recall for 800,000 vehicles had just been announced.
7 Nov, 04h16Addition of warnings on 'recall compensation' and 'entrapment-type' scams targeting personal data.
6 Nov, 21h12Addition of a warning on messages 'limited-time recall, expired warranty loss' classified as a scam.
6 Nov, 21h12Addition of SAIC-GM on November 6: Alert on fake airbag recall SMS messages.
6 Nov, 17h15Addition of BYD on November 6: Alert on fake recall notifications, with fraudsters impersonating a regulatory authority.
6 Nov, 11h42Extension of the story: After Li Auto on November 5, Volkswagen China, BMW, GAC Toyota, Voyah, and AITO issued denials or warnings on November 5 and 6.

AI cross-check of the headlines and extracts of 60 articles (38 outlets) · “confirmed” = reported by at least two independent outlets, or by the manufacturer’s official press room · 7 Nov, 15h22

Checked on the web(3)

Not confirmed at this stage
Li Auto stated that no airbag recall was underway and that SMS messages announcing such a recall were unofficial and fraudulent.
Sources: techniques-ingenieur.fr, reuters.com, chinanationalnews.com, reuters.com, sacbee.com
7 Nov, 16h52
Not confirmed at this stage
Volkswagen China stated that airbag recall SMS messages were not official and aimed to obtain personal information.
Sources: techniques-ingenieur.fr, reuters.com, reuters.com, chinanationalnews.com, finance.yahoo.com
7 Nov, 16h52
Not confirmed at this stage
SAIC-GM stated that fraudsters were sending fake airbag recall SMS messages under its name.
Sources: techniques-ingenieur.fr, reuters.com, sacbee.com, finance.yahoo.com, reuters.com
7 Nov, 16h52

Automatic web search, official sources first · “contradicted” only when an official source is cited

Timeline

newest first

Dot = severity

In figures

The activity

15 facts

Latest activity 7 hours ago

3 9 3

5 Nov7 Nov

Countries concerned

Several countries (2)

Brands concerned

Official figures

BMW · 67,640 reg. (EU + EFTA + UK, Sept 26) · 82 recall(s) in 12 months
Volkswagen · 120,214 reg. (EU + EFTA + UK, Sept 26) · 60 recall(s) in 12 months
Toyota · 79,386 reg. (EU + EFTA + UK, Sept 26) · 82 recall(s) in 12 months

Key figures

No numeric assessment in the articles.

Sources by country and language

Press country

	Articles	Outlets
China	99	41
Japan	1	1

Languages

	Articles	Outlets
Chinese	99	41
Japanese	1	1

Country of the outlet (not of the topic), inferred from its address and language. Each outlet counts once per row.