Tesla Recalls 3 Million Cars in China

In a major move to address safety concerns, Tesla is recalling just shy of 3 million vehicles in China. This recall is part of a nationwide effort to alert vehicle owners to hidden emergency door releases, which can trap occupants in the event of a crash or a fire.

According to Reuters, 11 carmakers in China are issuing recalls related to this problem. Nine manufacturers, including Tesla, will install warning labels on their vehicles that help occupants identify the emergency door releases. Xiaomi, Xpeng, and Geely brands Zeekr and Lynk & Co. are also recalling EVs. All 11 companies will also push software updates as part of the recall.

Manual door releases have become a problem in recent years as automakers like Tesla made electronic door latches the standard way of getting in and out of a car. While electronic latches make it easier for owners to use their smartphone or an NFC tap card to open doors, they can fail in the event of a collision. Automakers that use electronic latches typically install a manual handle that can be used in the event of an emergency, but these are often tucked away in unexpected places or hidden behind door panels.

Following a two-year review, China announced in February that it would ban hidden, electronically-actuated exterior door handles from 2027. This decision was made in response to growing concerns over safety and the potential risks associated with these types of door handles.

Late last year, the U.S.’s top automotive safety regulator opened an investigation into Tesla’s door-latching system after Bloomberg reporting put a spotlight on the issue. The agency is also looking at creating a new rule that could change the safety requirements for such systems. One lawmaker has even proposed legislation that would require manual releases to be ‘intuitive to use and readily accessible for the occupant.’

Tesla is not the only company that has leaned on hard-to-locate manual releases as a backup to electronic door latches. Rivian’s customers and employees raised concerns last year about the company’s own manual release on its R1 vehicles, which requires passengers to remove a panel and pull a cord. The company subsequently said it would move that release to a more accessible spot on the newer, cheaper R2, which launched this year.

In 2025, Ford briefly stopped sales of the Mustang Mach-E and issued a recall to reduce the chances of its electronic door latches malfunctioning if the vehicles lost power. Tesla, which popularized the use of these flush exterior handles and electronic latches, has said it is working on redesigning its door handles moving forward.

Key Points:

• 11 carmakers in China are recalling vehicles due to hidden emergency door releases.
• Tesla, Xiaomi, Xpeng, and Geely brands Zeekr and Lynk & Co. are among the companies issuing recalls.
• Warning labels will be installed on vehicles to help occupants identify emergency door releases.
• Software updates will also be pushed as part of the recall.
• China will ban hidden, electronically-actuated exterior door handles from 2027.