China Recalls Nearly Three Million Teslas Over Unsafe Door Handles
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Chinese regulators announced a recall of nearly three million Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, citing interior emergency mechanical door handles that blend with the cabin color and are hard to locate in crises. The State Administration for Market Regulation warned that a loss of low‑voltage power after a severe collision could impede occupants from opening doors, creating a safety hazard. Tesla must affix warning labels and issue an over‑the‑air update that adds a post‑accident window‑lowering function. The recall follows a separate Chinese recall of about 400,000 Xiaomi SU7 EVs for the same issue. China earlier mandated that door handles be mechanically operable from either side, a rule taking effect next year, pressuring Tesla to redesign its handles.
💡 Why It Matters
- · The recall forces Tesla to confront a design flaw that has long endangered passengers, prompting a shift toward universally operable emergency exits.
