Millions of Teslas recalled in China over door‑handle hazard and steering‑assist issues

Tesla is recalling nearly three million cars in China due to interior door handles that could hinder exit during emergencies, according to Beijing’s national market watchdog. Around 2.9 million Model 3 and Model Y units manufactured in China are part of the recall, set to begin on September 25. Additionally, Tesla is recalling approximately 46,000 imported versions of its Model 3, Model X and Model S cars.

Eight Chinese automakers, including Xiaomi, XPeng, Geely, Chery and Leapmotor, are also recalling vehicles with similar hazardous door handles. Xiaomi initiated a recall of 390,000 2024 SU7 models, while XPeng began recalling 265,000 cars on Saturday. BAIC BluePark, a subsidiary of state-owned BAIC, started recalling 46,000 Arcfox Kaola EVs on Saturday due to a lack of clear emergency prompts.

Geely announced a recall of around 92,000 Zeekr luxury cars starting today. In response to China's plan to ban hidden door handles by January 1, 2027, companies have offered free warning labels and software upgrades. The recalls stem from the handles blending in with the interior color, making them difficult to locate and operate, particularly in critical situations such as severe collisions that can disable the vehicle's low-voltage system.