Nearly 3 million Teslas recalled in China over hidden door handles

Nearly 3 million Teslas are being recalled in China due to hidden door handles that can be difficult to locate and open in emergencies, part of the largest vehicle recall in the country's history. The recall affects over 2.98 million Chinese-made Teslas, including Model 3, Y, S, and X models. This safety concern stems from two fatal crashes in China involving Xiaomi EVs, where power failures were suspected of preventing doors from being opened in time.

Tesla explained that the issue lies with the design of the retractable door handles, which blend in with the vehicle's interior trim and could hinder occupants or rescuers from quickly accessing the vehicle during a severe collision. As a precaution, Tesla plans to place warning labels on the affected vehicles and issue a software update to automatically lower windows after a collision.

The extent of the recall in other countries remains unclear. Chinese authorities previously banned hidden door handles, with new regulations set to take effect in January 2027, requiring mechanical release mechanisms on both sides of car doors. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is also exploring a new safety standard for carmakers, following reports of Tesla door handles stopping working unexpectedly and leaving children trapped inside.