Automotive
Tesla and Chinese automakers recall millions of vehicles over door release and handle safety risks
Regulators in China ordered recalls affecting over 4 million vehicles, citing concerns that electronic doors and emergency releases can fail during severe crashes.
The short version
- China's State Administration for Market Regulation initiated coordinated recalls covering more than 4 million vehicles, including nearly 3 million Teslas, due to emergency door-opening hazards.
- Regulators cited risks where electrical failures during collisions can prevent occupants from finding manual interior releases or hinder rescuers attempting to use flush exterior handles.
- Tesla will issue over-the-air software updates to lower windows in collisions and provide physical interior warning labels showing emergency mechanical releases.
- The recalls take effect ahead of new Chinese regulatory rules set to ban fully retractable hidden door handles in coming years.
Key facts
- Tesla is recalling roughly 2.98 million imported and domestically built Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles in China regarding door release safety concerns.[Wired · Associated Press · Electrek]
- Eight Chinese automakers, including Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Geely, and XPENG, also filed recalls covering over 1 million vehicles over similar door mechanism safety risks.[Wired · Associated Press · Electrek]
- Tesla's door-related remedy requires an over-the-air software update to lower windows after an impact alongside physical warning stickers to help occupants identify mechanical releases.[Wired · Ars Technica · Electrek]
- The door recall formally takes effect on September 25, 2026.[Electrek]
- Separately, Chinese regulators issued recalls targeting Tesla driver-monitoring systems across roughly 2.74 million domestic vehicles and nearly 50,000 imported vehicles to enforce cabin-camera tracking during assisted driving.[Wired · Electrek]
What remains uncertain
- Reports vary on the exact phase-in timeline for China's upcoming ban on hidden door handles, citing implementation targets ranging from next year to 2027 or grandfathering existing models through 2028.[Ars Technica · Associated Press]
Sources
- Tesla recalls nearly 3M vehicles in China over door handle safety risksAssociated Press
- Tesla’s Door Handles Lead to Its Biggest Recall YetWired metered
- Tesla recalls nearly 3M vehicles in China over door handle safety risksABC News - Business
- Chinese regulators tell Tesla to fix nearly 3 million carsArs Technica
- Tesla (TSLA) recalls over 2 million cars in China to add driver monitoringElectrek
- Tesla recalls nearly 3 million cars in China over door escape riskElectrek