Chinese regulators have ordered the recall of nearly 3 million Tesla vehicles over concerns that electronically operated door handles may be difficult to locate in an emergency. The recall covers 2,980,952 Model 3 and Model Y cars manufactured in China between 2019 and 2026, with the first wave taking effect from 25 September.
A second recall of 2,740,642 vehicles took effect immediately, addressing driver monitoring system issues. Tesla will apply warning stickers near the mechanical release and issue a software update so windows automatically lower further during a crash.
Eleven automakers in total are affected by the door handle campaign, including Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Xpeng, Zeekr and Lynk & Co, with nine applying free warning stickers. China will ban concealed door handles from 2027, becoming the first country to move against the design popularised by Tesla.