Tesla and others begin record vehicle recall in China

Tesla and eight other automakers are set to initiate a massive vehicle recall in China, affecting approximately 4.3 million cars. The recall is prompted by concerns that doors may be difficult to open in emergency situations, posing a safety risk to occupants. This marks the largest automotive recall in China's history. The affected vehicles include various models of Tesla, Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Xpeng, and Geely, all sold in China.

The recall involves either software updates or the installation of warning labels, free of charge, to alert drivers to the issue. China has recently tightened its safety regulations for the EV industry, including a ban on concealed door handles from 2027. The recall is partly a response to several incidents where passengers were trapped in burning vehicles due to inaccessible emergency door-release handles.

These issues have drawn attention from Chinese and international regulators, leading to increased scrutiny of vehicle safety features. Automakers are taking action to rectify the problem, with most implementing over-the-air software updates, which are more cost-effective than traditional recall procedures.