The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is examining Tesla Model Y vehicles following reports of occupants becoming trapped, adding American scrutiny to a widening global review of electronic door handle designs.
The US probe surfaces as Chinese authorities confirmed the exact scope of their recall campaign, with the State Administration for Market Regulation detailing that 2,975,910 Tesla vehicles are affected, including 973,156 Model 3 and 1,956,713 Model Y units produced domestically alongside smaller numbers of imported vehicles. The campaign also encompasses XPeng, which is recalling approximately 264,000 vehicles alongside the previously disclosed Xiaomi and Leapmotor figures. At least 15 deaths have been linked to situations where Tesla occupants or rescuers could not open the doors, according to Bloomberg.
Cui Dongshu of the China Passenger Car Association called the recall 'an inevitable step' in the electric vehicle industry's development.