Nearly 2.98 million Tesla cars feature in China’s largest-ever automotive recall amid concerns that difficult-to-find emergency door releases could obstruct escape and rescue following a collision.
The BBC reports that Tesla accounts for the majority of around 4.3 million vehicles being recalled in China over safety concerns surrounding hidden and electronic door release systems.
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) was reported as stating that Tesla would recall 973,156 Model 3 vehicles manufactured between March 4, 2019 and April 29, 2026, 1.96 million China-made Model Y cars made between November 16, 2020 and April 30, 2026, as well as more than 35,000 imported Model 3s, 8,000 Model X and 2,000 Model S vehicles.
No corresponding recall has yet been announced for Tesla vehicles or other affected models sold in the UK or elsewhere.
The Chinese recall covers approximately 2.98 million domestically built and imported Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X vehicles.
Tesla said in a statement on Friday that it was recalling some of its Model 3, Y, S and X vehicles due to door handles that are “difficult to identify and operate because their colour is similar to the interior trim”.
“In extreme situations such as a severe collision causing the vehicle’s low-voltage system to fail, this could hinder occupants from quickly opening the doors to escape and impede rescue efforts by those outside the vehicle, posing a safety hazard,” it said.
Tesla said it would place warning labels beside the interior emergency releases and issue an over-the-air software update designed to lower the windows automatically following a severe collision.
Eight other vehicle manufacturers are taking action over similar concerns, including Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Xpeng and Geely.
The action follows increased scrutiny of electronic door mechanisms after fatal crashes involving electric vehicles in China where power failures were suspected of preventing doors from being opened.
China has already announced new safety rules covering vehicle door handles from January 1, 2027. New cars will need to provide mechanical releases on both the inside and outside of their doors, effectively ending the use of fully concealed, electronic-only systems which were introduced to create cleaner body designs and improve aerodynamics.
Ensure you always get AM insight. Make us a preferred source of news on Google.