Nearly three million Teslas recalled in China over hidden door handles

A massive car recall in China has affected over 4 million vehicles, primarily from Tesla but also including competitors XPeng, Xiaomi, and Geely. The issue centers around the controversial design of hidden door handles, which are difficult to locate and operate, particularly in emergency situations. Safety concerns arose after two fatal crashes in China involving Xiaomi EVs, where power failures were suspected of preventing doors from being opened in time.

Tesla initiated the recall for models 3, Y, S, and X due to door handles that blend in with the interior trim, making them hard to identify and operate. In extreme scenarios, such as a severe collision leading to a low-voltage system failure, occupants might struggle to quickly open the doors, potentially hindering their escape and delaying rescue efforts.

To address the issue, Tesla plans to place warning labels on the recalled vehicles and issue a software update that automatically lowers windows in case of a crash. However, experts suggest that this measure is merely a temporary solution rather than a lasting fix.

The use of hidden door handles has gained popularity among Chinese automakers following Tesla's lead since 2014. Tu Le, founder of consultancy Sino Auto Insights, noted that the sleek design of Tesla's Model S sedan has been widely copied by other brands. While the warning labels and software update serve as a "band-aid" solution, Chinese authorities are expected to ban hidden door handles altogether starting January 1, 2027. Car manufacturers will then need to provide a mechanical release on both sides of the doors.

The issue also drew scrutiny from US safety regulators, who are considering creating a new formal safety standard for carmakers following reports that Tesla's door handles suddenly stopped working, leaving children trapped in their vehicles.