Tesla is recalling nearly three million vehicles manufactured in China over safety concerns involving the electric carmaker’s hidden door handles.
China’s market regulator said the recall affects approximately 2.98 million Tesla vehicles, including the Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X.
The safety issue concerns door handles that can be difficult to identify and operate because they have a similar colour to the surrounding interior trim.
According to Tesla, the problem could become particularly dangerous following a serious crash that causes a vehicle’s low-voltage electrical system to fail. In such circumstances, occupants could struggle to open the doors and escape, potentially delaying rescue efforts.
Tesla to Introduce Software Update
Tesla said it will place warning labels on affected vehicles and deploy a software update designed to automatically lower the windows following a collision.
The measure is intended to provide occupants with an alternative means of escape if the doors cannot be opened normally after a crash.
The recall forms part of a broader safety action involving more than four million vehicles produced by several manufacturers, including Chinese electric vehicle makers XPeng, Xiaomi and Geely.
China Tightens Rules on Hidden Door Handles
Hidden door handles have come under increased scrutiny in China following two fatal crashes involving Xiaomi electric vehicles, where power failures were suspected of preventing occupants from opening the doors.
Chinese authorities announced in February that new regulations would prohibit hidden door handles on vehicles sold in the country from January 1, 2027.
Under the new rules, vehicles will be required to have mechanical door-release mechanisms on both the inside and outside.
Tesla’s door handles have also attracted regulatory attention in the United States, where authorities have investigated reports of handles becoming inoperable and occupants being trapped inside vehicles.
The latest recall highlights growing concerns over vehicle designs that rely heavily on electronic systems, particularly in emergency situations where a loss of power can affect basic safety functions.
