--- title: "Chinese EV Brake Pedal Snaps Three Times During Testing" date: "2026-10-09" modified: "2026-10-09" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail.md" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/chinese-ev-brake-pedal-snaps-three-times-during-testing" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Manufacturing" - "News" --- # Chinese EV Brake Pedal Snaps Three Times During Testing ![Comparison of a Maextro V800's snapped brake pedal, on table, with another unit that isn't defective.]() *Comparison of a Maextro V800's snapped brake pedal assembly, on table, with another unit from a different model that isn't defective. \CarNewsChina via YouTube\* A brake pedal [snapping during an emergency stop]() is just about one of the worst calamities that can happen on the road, and it appears a luxury EV in China carries that risk right now. Three Maextro V800 vans—built by JAC Group and tech giant Huawei—separately suffered three pedal fractures during 60-to-0-mph braking tests, prompting the manufacturer to begrudgingly commit to fix the component's design and provide owners free replacements. These tests made the rounds on Dongchedi, a car content platform that happens to be owned by ByteDance, which also runs TikTok. The first two failures happened to low-mileage vehicles, and their pedals snapped on their third and fourth runs. The third failure struck a brand new van purchased later, and its pedal collapsed on the second attempt. Each failure required the testers to immediately engage the Park gear as a makeshift emergency brake, which does eventually stop the vehicle—though, as you can see in the footage, not quickly. [The video]() below is in Chinese, but it's not hard to get the gist of what's going on. The driver presses hard, something audibly breaks, and the pedal falls all the way to the back of the footwell, dangling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrhPClBF3R8 Afterwards, the testers identified three potential issues with the component's design that could explain why this keeps happening, per *[CarNewsChina]()*. The brake pedal happens to be long, with a considerable distance between its central pivot point and the end of it, where your foot strikes. It also appears to be insufficiently supported, and material strength may be lacking as well. While Maextro is apparently promising to install new parts for concerned owners, it's also taken a somewhat dismissive tone about the severity of the problem, according to *[CnEV Post]()*. The automaker's position is that these defects were discovered during "non-standard, extreme test conditions," and that the V800's braking system exceeds the standards of both China's transport ministry and the industry. It's also said that such failures have not been reported on customer vehicles. Don't reckon that'll make owners feel much better, though. > 懂车帝实测尊界v800 100到0刹车成绩，连断三根刹车踏板 https://t.co/i8XGawHBsf > — 1024 (@1024DevHub) [October 8, 2026]() *Got a tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()