China Orders Major Tesla Recalls Over Emergency Door Handle and Driver Assistance Safety Risks

Beijing: Tesla is recalling nearly 2.9 million domestically produced Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles (EVs) in China over concerns that their interior emergency door handles could make it difficult for passengers to exit the vehicles during critical situations, according to China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR).

The recall of the locally manufactured vehicles is scheduled to begin on September 25, adding to growing scrutiny of vehicle safety systems in China’s rapidly expanding EV market.

According to SAMR, the affected Tesla vehicles are equipped with emergency mechanical door releases whose handles are similar in colour to the vehicle’s interior, potentially making them difficult for passengers to locate and operate during an emergency.

The safety concern is particularly relevant in serious collisions where a vehicle’s low-voltage electrical system may fail. Under such circumstances, passengers could need to use the mechanical release to open the doors and escape the vehicle.

In the Model 3, for example, passengers may need to reach into a compartment within the rear door pocket to locate a manual release cable. SAMR said the design could potentially delay passengers’ ability to exit the vehicle quickly during an emergency or allow rescue personnel to gain access from outside.

Tesla is also recalling approximately 46,000 imported Model 3, Model X and Model S vehicles in China over the same door-handle safety concern.

Separately, SAMR announced another recall involving approximately 2.7 million domestically manufactured Model 3 and Model Y vehicles over concerns related to monitoring systems used while drivers operate the vehicles’ steering-assistance functions. It remains unclear whether there is any overlap between the vehicles affected by the two recalls.

The recalls extend beyond Tesla, highlighting broader scrutiny of vehicle safety standards across China’s rapidly developing electric mobility industry. Several Chinese EV manufacturers, including Xiaomi, XPeng, Geely, Chery and Leapmotor, have also announced recalls involving vehicles equipped with interior door handles that may be difficult to identify or operate during emergencies.

China’s latest recall actions come as the country continues to expand its electric vehicle market and strengthen regulatory oversight of vehicle safety. With millions of EVs now operating on Chinese roads, authorities are increasingly focusing on emergency systems, driver-assistance technologies and other safety-related features.

For EV manufacturers, the recalls underline the importance of combining advanced vehicle technology with intuitive safety design. As electric vehicles become increasingly sophisticated, regulators and consumers are placing greater emphasis on ensuring that safety systems remain accessible and effective under real-world emergency conditions.