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Automotive

Tesla and Chinese automakers recall over 4 million vehicles in China over door safety risks

Regulators cite concerns that hidden exterior handles and hard-to-find interior emergency releases could trap passengers during power failures.

Updated Aug 24, 2026 · 04:19 UTC7 reports

The short version

  • China's State Administration for Market Regulation initiated recalls covering more than 4 million vehicles, including nearly 3 million Teslas, over door release and handle safety issues.
  • Regulators found that hidden door handles and low-contrast interior emergency manual releases can prevent rapid occupant exit or rescuer access following severe crashes that disable electrical systems.
  • Automakers will address the issues primarily through over-the-air software updates that automatically roll down windows after collisions, alongside physical warning labels for emergency releases.
  • The recalls precede a planned Chinese regulatory ban requiring mechanical releases on all car doors starting in 2027.

Key facts

  • Tesla is recalling roughly 2.98 million domestically manufactured and imported Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles in China.[BBC News · Associated Press · Electrek]
  • The broader coordinated recall includes more than 1 million additional vehicles produced by Chinese automakers such as Xiaomi, Leapmotor, Geely, and XPeng.[Wired · Associated Press · Electrek]
  • Chinese market regulators identified risks where electrical failures during severe collisions can leave occupants trapped because manual interior emergency releases are difficult to locate and operate.[BBC News · Electrek]
  • Tesla's planned remedy consists of distributing interior warning labels to identify manual releases and deploying an over-the-air software update that automatically lowers windows after a collision.[Wired · Ars Technica · BBC News]
  • Chinese regulators announced new safety rules taking effect in 2027 that will require all vehicles sold in China to feature mechanical releases inside and outside the vehicle, effectively barring fully hidden door handles.[Wired · BBC News · Associated Press]
  • On the same day, Tesla also filed a separate recall covering over 2.7 million vehicles in China to upgrade driver-attention monitoring on assisted-driving systems via in-cabin cameras.[Wired · Electrek]

What remains uncertain

  • It remains unconfirmed whether Tesla or other affected automakers will issue similar door handle recalls in markets outside of China.[BBC News]

Sources