Tesla is recalling approximately 2.98 million Chinese-made vehicles due to safety concerns regarding their retractable door handles, which could be difficult to identify and operate in emergency situations. The recall impacts various models including the Model 3, Y, S, and X.
The safety issue stems from the door handles' color being similar to the car's interior trim, potentially hindering occupants or rescuers from opening the doors quickly during emergencies, such as after a severe collision that causes the vehicle's low-voltage system to fail. Tesla stated it will address the issue by placing warning labels on the affected vehicles and issuing a software update. This update is designed to automatically lower a vehicle's windows following a collision.
The minimalist retractable door handles, popularized by Tesla, have been a signature feature of many electric vehicles. However, this design has come under scrutiny globally. In February, Chinese authorities announced a ban on hidden door handles, with new regulations set to take effect on January 1, 2027. These rules will require cars sold in China to have a mechanical release on both the inside and outside of their doors.
Other Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers, including XPeng, Xiaomi, and Geely, are also affected by similar recalls, following safety concerns highlighted by fatal crashes involving Xiaomi EVs where power failures were suspected to have prevented door opening. Tesla's door handles have also faced scrutiny in the United States, with safety regulators investigating reports of them malfunctioning and trapping children inside vehicles. In July, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed the creation of a new formal safety standard for all carmakers concerning such mechanisms.