Tesla is set to recall approximately 2.98 million vehicles in China due to safety concerns with flush-mounted electronic door handles.


Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y Drive Its $1 Trillion Market Capitalization. Yonhap News.

Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y Drive Its $1 Trillion Market Capitalization. Yonhap News.

View original image

According to reports from Bloomberg and other outlets on August 21 (local time), China’s State Administration for Market Regulation announced that Tesla will begin recalling 2,975,910 vehicles manufactured or imported in China from 2018 to 2026 starting on September 25.


The recall covers certain imported vehicles produced between March 4, 2019 and April 29, 2026, as well as Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles that were manufactured in China.


The Chinese market regulator explained that if the power supply is cut during a collision, the electronic door handles may fail to operate, making it difficult for occupants to escape or for rescuers to provide assistance.


To address this issue, Tesla plans to update its software to allow windows to lower automatically when an accident is detected, and will attach labels indicating the location of the emergency manual release device.


This recall action also includes Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers. The total recall affects nine automakers and 4.27 million vehicles, making it the largest automotive recall in China related to the same quality issue. Tesla accounts for the highest number of vehicles, followed by Xiaomi with 390,440 vehicles, Leapmotor with 371,200, Xpeng with 264,840, and Zeekr with 92,660 vehicles.



Similar safety concerns are under review in the United States as well. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating reports of occupants being trapped in Tesla Model Y vehicles, and a bill has been introduced in the U.S. Congress to mandate manual door-opening mechanisms on new vehicles.


This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.

© The Asia Business Daily. All rights reserved. Unauthorized AI training and use prohibited.

Today’s Briefing