Tesla recalls 3 million vehicles in China over door handles

Tesla is recalling nearly 3 million vehicles in China as part of the country's largest-ever automotive recall, affecting over 4 million cars from 11 automakers over concerns that hidden door handles may be difficult to operate in emergencies Source: BBC, Fox Business. The recall, announced Friday, covers imported and China-made Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X vehicles, and follows two fatal crashes in China involving Xiaomi EVs where power failures prevented doors from opening Source: BBC, The Next Web.

The issue

The problem centers on retractable door handles that blend into the interior trim, making them hard to locate when the low-voltage system fails after a severe collision Source: Wired. Tesla will affix warning labels and issue a software update that automatically lowers windows after a crash Source: AP News. Other automakers, including Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Xpeng, and Geely, are also recalling vehicles, with Xiaomi recalling about 390,000 cars Source: CNA.

Regulatory response

China has announced a ban on concealed door handles starting in 2027, requiring mechanical releases on both the inside and outside of doors Source: Engadget. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is also investigating Tesla's door handles and considering new safety standards Source: TechCrunch. Tesla has said it is working on a redesign that combines electric and manual release mechanisms Source: Engadget.

Disagreement

While most sources agree on the scale of the recall, there is some discrepancy in the total number of vehicles affected: Reuters reports 4.3 million, while other outlets cite 4 million Source: Fox Business, AP News. The exact number of automakers involved also varies, with reports ranging from 8 to 11 Source: BBC, Engadget.