Tesla to fix software for millions of China-made, imported EVs in China
Tesla will add warning labels and software fixes for nearly 3 million vehicles after regulators said hidden emergency door releases could trap occupants.
- Tesla filed a recall for 2,975,910 vehicles in China on Friday after regulators determined the interior emergency door release is difficult to identify and operate in a crash, covering domestically built Model 3s and Model Ys plus imported units.
- The State Administration for Market Regulation determined the mechanical release closely matches surrounding interior trim, making it hard to locate during power-loss events when occupants need to exit without electrical systems.
- Eight other automakers, including Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Xpeng, Geely, Chery, Dongfeng, BAIC BluePark, and FAW, filed similar recalls the same day. Tesla will deploy warning labels and an over-the-air software update rather than hardware changes.
- The recall takes effect September 25, 2026, marking Tesla's largest-ever action in China amid steady regulatory tightening on sleek electric vehicle door designs across the country.
- In the United States, Tesla faces multiple wrongful-death lawsuits blaming its door handles for trapping occupants, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened rulemaking in July while Congress introduced the 'SAFE Exit Act' targeting the handles.
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11 automakers announce vehicle recalls
Eleven carmakers, including Tesla and Xiaomi, launched software updates and vehicle recalls on Friday, the companies said, in China's largest-ever automotive recall campaign, as regulators tighten scrutiny of emergency door-release systems in EVs. Most of the actions, classified as product recalls under Chinese regulations, address concerns that emergency mechanical door release handles may be difficult to locate or operate during emergencies. N…
Tesla recalls nearly 3 million cars in China over door escape risk
Tesla is recalling 2,975,910 vehicles in China after the country’s market regulator determined that its emergency door release is too hard to find and operate in a crash. It’s Tesla’s largest-ever recall in China, and it lands as the automaker’s door design faces mounting legal and regulatory pressure on two continents. Several other automakers who followed Tesla into similarly designed door releases have also issued similar recalls.
Car manufacturers such as Tesla or Xiaomi have to repair their electronic door handles. Therefore, several million cars in the People's Republic have to be pulled out of circulation.
The Chinese regulator announced a major recall today for 2,980,952 Teslas. It concerns Model 3 and Model Y vehicles built in China. According to China, the color of the safety handles is not conspicuous enough and could be dangerous in the event of an accident.
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