Tesla Recalls 3 Million Vehicles in China Over Safety Issues

By Priya Anand

Tesla has announced a voluntary recall of approximately 3 million vehicles in China to address safety concerns involving door handles and driver monitoring systems. This recall, filed with China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), affects a significant portion of Tesla's fleet in the country.

The recall includes 2,975,910 vehicles for door-handle safety issues. The affected models are domestically built Model 3s and Model Ys, as well as imported Model 3s, Model Xs, and Model Ss. The issue involves interior emergency mechanical door releases that are difficult to identify or operate, especially in severe crashes where electrical systems may fail. This could hinder occupant escape or rescue efforts. The recall will be effective from September 25, 2026, and remedies include the application of warning labels and over-the-air (OTA) updates to window control software.

Additionally, 2,740,642 domestically built Model 3 and Model Y vehicles are being recalled for deficiencies in the driver-monitoring system. The current system inadequately prompts drivers if their attention strays while using assisted-driving features, increasing the risk of collisions. The remedy involves an OTA software update to enhance in-cabin camera monitoring capabilities.