Key facts
- Tesla is recalling 2.98 million vehicles in China due to software issues with emergency door release handles and driver-attention monitoring.
- The recall is part of a larger campaign involving 11 automakers and over 4.3 million vehicles in China.
- Regulators ordered Tesla to add warning labels and push an over-the-air software update to address the door release issue.
- A separate recall affects 2.74 million vehicles for updates to the driver monitoring system.
- The door release issue makes it difficult to identify and operate the interior emergency mechanical release in cases of power loss.
Tesla is initiating a recall of 2.98 million vehicles manufactured in China and imported models due to software defects affecting the emergency door release handles and the driver-attention monitoring system. The interior emergency mechanical release is difficult to identify and operate because it closely matches the color of the surrounding interior trim, posing a risk to occupants in severe crashes that disable the electrical system. This action is part of a significantly larger recall campaign in China, encompassing a total of 4.3 million vehicles across 11 different automakers, including Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Xpeng, and Geely. The remedy involves adding warning labels and pushing an over-the-air software update that changes how the windows lower to aid escape, rather than a hardware change. Tesla is also recalling 2.74 million vehicles for updates to its driver monitoring system, which will now use interior cameras to track driver gaze instead of just a steering wheel torque sensor. This is Tesla's largest-ever recall in China and follows regulatory pressure on similar door handle designs. Electronic door handles, popularized by Tesla, are designed to sit flush to the car body for a minimalist look and reduced aerodynamic drag. These handles typically extend electronically as the owner approaches the car. Concerns arise when automakers lack a clear manual release option for when a car loses power, making escape difficult. Some automakers have an intuitive system with an interior lever that can be pulled twice for manual release, while Tesla's manual release is located in the door pocket or under a panel without clear signage. EV drivers have found the design of high-tech handles confusing, with seven of the 10 most problematic models in this area being EVs, according to JD Power. Lawsuits have alleged that Tesla's door-handle designs led to injuries or deaths after individuals were trapped in vehicles on fire. Some drivers have complained to the U.S. NHTSA about being unable to get a child out of a vehicle. China will ban 'hidden' door handles from 2027, and proposed U.S. legislation would require fail-safe manual door releases. The NHTSA is considering creating a new formal safety standard, and European regulators are also drafting new standards for electronic handles.