Tesla Recalls Nearly 3 Million Cars in China Over Door Handle Safety

Tesla has announced a recall of approximately 2.98 million electric vehicles sold in China — including both locally manufactured and imported models. The affected vehicles are the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X. China's market regulator identified the issue: in a serious crash, the car's electrical system may fail, disabling the powered door openers and forcing occupants to rely on mechanical emergency handles that are not clearly marked.

Simple Fix: Stickers and a Software Update

Tesla plans to address the problem by adding warning labels on doors pointing to the emergency handles and by pushing a wireless software update that automatically lowers windows after a collision — making it easier to escape or for rescuers to reach occupants. Analyst Sam Fiorani from AutoForecast Solutions noted that remote software updates significantly cut costs and downtime, suggesting the recall's expense could remain limited. The recall begins on September 25.

Part of China's Largest-Ever Auto Safety Action

The Tesla recall is the largest single contribution to a broader industry-wide action covering nine manufacturers and roughly 4.3 million vehicles in China, all related to door-opening problems in emergencies. Other brands involved include Xiaomi (approx. 390,000 vehicles) and Leapmotor. China announced in February that it would ban flush and retractable door handles starting in 2027, making it the first country in the world to outlaw the design — one that Tesla popularized globally and that was subsequently adopted by numerous Chinese EV makers.