Tesla is facing its largest-ever vehicle recall, with China recalling over 2.9 million Model 3 and Model Y vehicles manufactured in the country. The issue centers on the electronic, retractable door handles, which regulators claim can make it difficult for passengers to exit during emergencies and can impede rescue efforts.
The recall, announced by China's State Administration for Market Regulation, affects vehicles produced between 2019 and 2026. Some of these cars will receive an over-the-air software update designed to automatically lower windows post-collision, preventing passengers from becoming trapped. However, many vehicles will also require the installation of new warning stickers to help drivers locate and operate the emergency mechanical door handles, which can be hard to distinguish from the interior trim, especially when the vehicle's low-voltage battery, powering electronic accessories, fails.
This isn't the only safety concern involving Tesla in China recently. The government also recalled nearly 50,000 imported Model 3, X, and S vehicles due to issues with the automaker's assisted steering technology, citing an increased risk of collisions because drivers may not be adequately monitoring their surroundings. Some of these vehicles will be fixed with software updates, while others will need new in-cabin cameras to ensure driver attention.
China has been at the forefront of regulating automotive technology, implementing stricter rules for advanced features. The country is set to ban fully retractable door handles and has previously introduced regulations for autonomous vehicles and the data generated by software-centric cars.
Meanwhile, the US's top road safety regulator is reportedly examining whether new rules are needed to govern door handle design, signaling a potential global scrutiny of the feature that Tesla popularized.
