Tesla recalls cars in China over doorhandle safety, driver monitoring

Tesla is voluntarily recalling about 3 million vehicles in China to address two separate safety issues, the latest setback for the company as it tries to remain a major player in the world’s largest auto market.

One recall involves Tesla’s doorhandles, which are electronically operated and retractable, and the other is tied to the company’s driver “attention monitoring” systems, according to notices published on Friday by Tesla and China’s product safety regulator.

Tesla said in a doorhandle recall notice that severe collisions can cause the “vehicle’s low-voltage system to fail,” and that resulting doorhandle problems “could hinder occupants from quickly opening the doors to escape and impede rescue efforts by those outside the vehicle, posing a safety hazard.”

The company said it plans to “affix warning labels” to recalled vehicles, and will upgrade its “window control software” with an over-the-air update so that windows automatically lower after an accident is detected. Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X vehicles, including some imports and those made in China between March 4, 2019, and April 29, 2026, are subject to the recall.

The Model Y is one of the best-selling vehicles in China, but Tesla faces intensifying pressure there from local competitors, including BYD and Xiaomi, that are are making more affordable and innovative electric cars. According to China Passenger Car Association data, Tesla delivered 25,158 Model Y units in China in July, down 18% from 30,766 a year earlier.

The flush doorhandles that Tesla popularized are featured on cars made by Tesla competitors like Xiaomi, Geely and others that also issued recalls in China on Friday. Deaths apparently caused by malfunctioning or inaccessible doorhandles, have led to regulatory changes in China, prompting the widespread recalls involving nine automakers.

Regulatory changes are also being considered in the U.S. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in July that it would begin the process to establish a new federal rule to “mandate a robust and obvious door egress system in all motor vehicles,” according a regulatory filing.

Tesla’s other recall on Friday is to address deficiencies in some of its vehicles’ driver monitoring systems, which are meant to ensure drivers stay attentive and ready to take over steering and braking at any time while using partially automated driving features like autosteer.

In a recall notice, Tesla said it would provide customers with free over-the-air software updates, and add “in-cabin camera monitoring” alongside its steering-wheel based torque sensors to prompt drivers to stay more engaged, and take over steering and braking when needed.

For vehicles that can’t be upgraded via over-the-air software updates, Tesla’s recall notice said its service centers will “contact relevant users” to book repairs.

The second recall applies to China-made Model 3 and Model Y vehicles manufactured between March 4, 2019, and December 7, 2025.

Tesla didn’t respond to a request for comment.

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