China has announced the largest vehicle recall in its history, involving approximately 4.3 million vehicles from multiple manufacturers, including Tesla. The recall stems from potential difficulties in opening car doors after a crash, raising concerns that passengers could become trapped inside.

Key Takeaways

• China’s largest-ever vehicle recall affects about 4.3 million vehicles, including Tesla and Chinese automakers.
• About 2.98 million Tesla vehicles are recalled, covering Model 3, Model Y, Model X, and Model S.
• The issue: after a severe accident, the mechanical emergency door release may be hard to find or use if the electrical system is affected.
• Tesla will fix the problem via a software update and add warning labels for emergency door handles.
• China will ban hidden or flush door handles starting in 2027, following accidents where electric doors failed.

Massive Recall Across Multiple Manufacturers

The recall, announced by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), includes approximately 2.98 million Tesla vehicles—both imported and locally produced—along with vehicles from Chinese automakers such as Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Xpeng, and Geely. This is the largest recall by Tesla in China to date.

Why Door Handles Are the Core Problem

Chinese regulators stated that after a severe accident, if the electrical system is affected, it may be hard to find or use the mechanical emergency door release. This could hinder passengers from exiting or rescue workers from opening the door, creating a serious safety risk.

Tesla’s Fix: Software Update and Warning Labels

Tesla plans to address the issue through a software update and by adding warning labels to indicate the location of the emergency door handles. This approach aims to ensure that even if the electrical system fails, occupants and rescuers can quickly locate and operate the manual release mechanism.

China’s Upcoming Ban on Flush Door Handles

In February of this year, China announced that starting in 2027, hidden or flush door handles would be banned. The decision follows accidents where electric doors failed, leading to concerns about people being trapped inside vehicles. This regulatory move underscores a broader shift toward prioritizing occupant safety in emergency situations.

Affected Tesla Models

The recall covers both imported and locally produced versions of these models, reflecting the scale of Tesla’s presence in the Chinese market.