Tesla faces record EV recalls in China

Tesla is implementing two major recalls in China covering millions of vehicles across several model lines. China’s market regulator has stated that the combined scale of these actions represents Tesla’s largest recall in the Chinese market to date.

The recalls involve both China-made and imported vehicles and focus on safety-related issues tied to emergency egress and driver-attention monitoring. The measures rely mainly on software updates delivered over the air, supplemented by minor physical changes.

Effective Sept. 25, Tesla will recall 2.98 million China-made and imported Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X vehicles. Regulators found that the emergency door-release handles in these vehicles may be difficult to identify.

In the event of a severe crash or an electrical-system failure, hard-to-locate emergency door releases could hinder occupants’ ability to escape or complicate rescue efforts. The recall is intended to address these potential risks and improve clarity for vehicle occupants and first responders.

The planned remedy includes placing warning labels on the emergency door-release handles to make them easier to spot. Tesla will also deploy an over-the-air software update that will automatically lower windows after a collision.

Separately, Tesla is immediately recalling about 2.74 million China-made Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. This recall is aimed at strengthening driver-attention monitoring when assisted-steering and other driver-assistance functions are active.

The remedy consists of an over-the-air software update, so vehicles will not require physical servicing to implement the change. The update is designed to improve how the system monitors whether drivers remain attentive while using assistance features.

By relying on software distribution, Tesla can apply the driver-monitoring enhancements across the affected fleet quickly. The recall underscores regulatory focus on ensuring that driver-assistance technologies are paired with robust attention safeguards.

The two recalls together cover a substantial portion of Tesla’s vehicles operating in China. Authorities and the company have characterized the measures as software and minor physical fixes rather than hardware replacements.

The door-handle campaign has a defined start date of Sept. 25, while the driver-monitoring update is being rolled out immediately. These actions highlight ongoing regulatory scrutiny of safety features in electric and assisted-driving vehicles in the Chinese market.