Nearly 3 million Teslas recalled in China over hidden door handles

China is grappling with its largest vehicle recall to date, impacting over 4 million Teslas. The recall centers around the automaker's minimalist door handles, which have raised safety concerns due to their difficulty in locating and opening during emergencies. Other Chinese automakers XPeng, Xiaomi, and Geely are also affected by the recall.

Vehicles will receive a warning label and a software update to automatically lower windows in a crash. This issue stems from the popularity of Tesla's hidden door handles, which other brands have adopted. The recall follows two fatal crashes in China involving Xiaomi EVs, where power failures were suspected to prevent doors from opening.

Tesla stated that the issue could hinder occupants from escaping a severe collision, posing a safety hazard. The Chinese government has announced a ban on hidden door handles, with new regulations set to take effect in 2027. Tesla is also facing scrutiny from US safety regulators, who suggested creating a new safety standard for emergency door exits.