NIO Recalls 240,000 Vehicles Over Software Glitch Causing Screen Blackouts

NIO has initiated a recall of more than 240,000 electric vehicles in China to address a software defect that could cause display screens to go blank, posing potential safety risks.

The action affects a total of 246,229 vehicles produced between March 16, 2018, and January 16, 2023. The specific models involved are the ES8, ES6, and EC6 pure electric SUVs.

According to the regulatory filing, the affected vehicles contain a software issue that may cause the instrument cluster and the central control screen to turn black for short periods under specific conditions. During these blackouts, critical driving information and functions—such as vehicle speed, hazard warnings, and defrosting or defogging controls—become unavailable to the driver, creating a safety hazard.

To rectify the issue, Nio will deploy a free software update via Over-the-Air (OTA) technology. Vehicles will be upgraded to software versions Aspen 3.5.6, Alder 2.1.0, or higher. For vehicles that cannot receive the update wirelessly, Nio service centers will contact owners to perform the upgrade manually.

The company noted that vehicles which have already been updated to the optimized software versions prior to this announcement do not require further action.