Nearly 3 million Teslas recalled in China over hidden door handles

Tesla is recalling approximately 2.98 million China-made and imported electric vehicles, including Model 3, Model Y, Model X, and Model S, due to safety risks associated with their door handles. Chinese authorities cited that in severe collision scenarios causing electrical failure, the handles could impede escape or rescue efforts. This recall, the largest this year in China, follows regulatory scrutiny on hidden door handles after incidents where they failed to open. Tesla will implement software updates to address these risks. Other Chinese automakers, including Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Geely, and XPENG, are also recalling millions of vehicles for similar door handle-related safety concerns. The recalls are seen as a safety upgrade ahead of China's planned 2027 ban on hidden car door handles.

Tesla is recalling nearly 3 million cars in mainland China due to a door-handle issue. This is the largest product recall in China's electric vehicle market to date. The recall is in response to Chinese regulators' move to ban retractable car door handles over safety concerns. These concerns were heightened after a fatal incident last year where a driver was trapped in a burning vehicle because the doors could not be opened from the outside. While other companies are also affected by the regulatory change, Tesla's recall is the largest announced so far.