Tesla hidden door handles recall will cover about 2.98 million China-made and imported EVs in China, according to China’s state administration for market regulation. The vehicles include Model 3, Model Y, Model X and Model S. Tesla will use software updates to address the door-handle safety risk.
China’s state administration for market regulation said the recall is tied to hidden door-handles that can make it harder to open doors in an emergency. In severe collisions that damage an electrical system, the handles can hinder people inside from getting out and can also block rescuers outside from opening the car.
Cui Dongshu on Tesla
Cui Dongshu, head of the China Passenger Car Association, described the recall as “an inevitable step” and said automakers were “being responsible” by moving toward a safety-first approach. He also said, “This represents, in part, the growing pains of the industry. At the same time, however, this move signifies a policy-driven safety upgrade,”
The recall lands after Chinese authorities said in February that hidden car door handles commonly seen on Tesla electric vehicles and many Chinese EV models would be banned starting next year. People’s Daily said the large-scale recall “serves as a unified safety upgrade” for existing vehicle models ahead of the 2027 implementation of that ban.
China’s broader recall push
Tesla’s design feature is being treated as a safety risk even though hidden handles are common on Tesla models and many other EVs in China. On Friday, Chinese authorities said Tesla and other carmakers are making a major recall of more than 4 million vehicles in China, including more than 390,000 vehicles from Xiaomi, over 370,000 cars from Leapmotor, and some vehicles from Geely and XPENG.
People’s Daily said, “For the rapidly evolving NEV (new energy vehicle) industry, competition should be defined not only by the pace of technological innovation but also by the high standards set for safety,” as the recall widened across the market. For owners, the immediate step is to watch for Tesla software updates tied to the recall and follow any instructions that arrive for the affected vehicles.
How many Tesla owners in China will need hardware changes versus software updates, and whether the recall fully removes the door-handle risk, is the part still left open.
