Tesla recalls 2.9m cars in China over emergency door, driver-monitoring defects

Tesla is recalling nearly three million electric vehicles in China over safety concerns involving emergency door handles and a separate defect affecting driver-attention monitoring during assisted driving.

The recall affects about 2.98 million China-made Tesla vehicles and is part of a wider campaign involving more than 4.27 million vehicles across nine automakers.

Affected Tesla models include the Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X. Other manufacturers involved in the recalls include Chinese electric vehicle makers XPeng, Xiaomi and Geely, according to the BBC.

The door-handle recall centres on emergency mechanical releases that can be difficult to identify because their colour is similar to the surrounding interior trim.

In a serious collision, this could make it harder for occupants to escape or rescuers to reach passengers, particularly if the vehicle's low-voltage electrical system fails.

Tesla will place warning labels on affected vehicles and introduce a software update that can automatically lower the windows after a severe crash, according to the BBC. The recall is expected to begin on September 25.

The safety concerns have also placed retractable door handles, a feature popularised by Tesla, under wider scrutiny. The handles sit almost flush with the vehicle's body and extend when the car is approached.

Concerns intensified following two fatal crashes involving Xiaomi electric vehicles, where suspected power failures raised questions about emergency door access.

China is responding with tighter safety requirements. From January 1, 2027, new vehicles sold in the country will be required to have mechanical door releases accessible from both inside and outside.

A separate recall affects about 2.74 million China-made Model 3 and Model Y vehicles over a driver-monitoring defect. The system may fail to alert motorists when their gaze moves away from the road while assisted-driving functions are active.

Tesla plans to address the problem through free over-the-air software updates and improved in-cabin camera monitoring. The upgraded system will remind drivers to remain attentive and responsible for controlling the vehicle.

Tesla's door handles have also come under scrutiny in the United States, where complaints about malfunctioning handles prompted an investigation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed developing a formal safety standard for vehicle door-release systems.