Tesla recalls nearly 3M vehicles over doors that may be difficult to open after crashes

Tesla announced a massive vehicle recall affecting nearly 3 million cars in China, targeting electronic door handles that risk trapping occupants after severe crashes according to regulatory notices filed with state authorities. The action covers both imported and locally manufactured Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles, marking the largest automotive recall in the country’s history.

Regulatory Filings and the Core Door Handle Defect

The safety notices lodged with China’s State Administration for Market Regulation explain that flush and electronically operated, retractable door handles can become difficult to operate if a vehicle suffers a severe collision that causes its low-voltage system to fail. Regulators warned that this technical failure could hinder occupants from quickly opening the doors to escape and impede rescue efforts by those outside the vehicle, posing a safety hazard.

To remedy the defect, Tesla said it would affix warning labels to affected vehicles and remotely upgrade its window-control software so the windows automatically lower following an accident. Tesla said it will contact owners of vehicles that cannot receive the fixes through remote software updates to schedule service appointments.

Broader Industry Impact and Upcoming Bans on Flush Handles

Tesla’s recall comes alongside recalls announced by eight other automakers, affecting a combined total of about 4.3 million vehicles in China. Among the affected manufacturers, Beijing-based Chinese technology giant Xiaomi is recalling more than 390,000 vehicles, Hangzhou-based Leapmotor is recalling over 370,000 cars, and other Chinese carmakers including Geely Holding and XPENG are also recalling some vehicles.

This coordinated safety recall arrives a few months after Chinese authorities said in February that starting next year, it would be banning hidden car door handles commonly seen on Tesla electric vehicles and many Chinese EV models. China has stepped up scrutiny recently on hidden, or flush, car door handles following EV accidents in the country and elsewhere, in which cars’ hidden electronic doors failed and trapped people inside. A report published by the People’s Daily, the official newspaper of China’s ruling Communist Party, said the large-scale recall serves as a unified safety upgrade for existing vehicle models ahead of the 2027 implementation of the ban on hidden car door handles. For the rapidly evolving NEV (new energy vehicle) industry, competition should be defined not only by the pace of technological innovation but also by the high standards set for safety, the newspaper said.

Industry Response and Driver Monitoring Updates

Some experts in the industry said the automakers should value safety over design. Cui Dongshu, head of the China Passenger Car Association, called the recall an inevitable step in the development of the electric vehicle industry and said automakers were being responsible by moving toward a more reliable, “safety-first” approach. This represents, in part, the growing pains of the industry. At the same time, however, this move signifies a policy-driven safety upgrade, said Cui. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.

Tesla also issued a recall addressing problems with driver-monitoring systems in certain vehicles, which are designed to help ensure drivers remain alert and ready to take control of steering or braking when necessary. The automaker said it would provide a software upgrade and in-cabin camera monitoring to help drivers remain vigilant. Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday that the automakers have not disclosed plans to issue similar recalls in the United States.