U.S. electric-vehicle maker Tesla is launching a large-scale recall in China, as safety concerns mount over its flush-mounted door handles.
Bloomberg reported on the 22nd, local time, that Tesla will recall about 3 million vehicles after China's State Administration for Market Regulation flagged safety problems with recessed electric door handles on electric vehicles.
Tesla vehicles are currently fitted with flush-mounted electric handles. If a crash cuts off power, these handles stop working, creating a risk that occupants cannot escape.
At least 15 people have reportedly died over the past decade in incidents linked to problems with Tesla's door systems. Safety concerns were raised within Tesla, but Chief Executive Elon Musk reportedly insisted on the electric handles.
With this recall, Tesla plans to add software that automatically lowers the windows after a crash, along with labels indicating the location of the emergency manual release.
Electric vehicles have also caused deaths in China. In a Xiaomi SU7 fire last October, a loss of power kept the doors from opening, and an occupant died unable to escape. As the accident risk from recessed handles fitted to various EV models grew, the Chinese government issued a rule early this year banning flush-mounted handles.
Since the rule took effect, handle-related recalls have been announced not only for Tesla but also for Chinese EV brands. The recalls total 4.27 million vehicles across nine automakers — the largest recall for a single quality issue in China.
Tesla accounts for the largest share at 2.98 million vehicles, followed by Xiaomi at 390,440. Leapmotor (371,200), Xpeng (264,840) and Zeekr (92,660) followed.
U.S. transportation authorities are also working on fixes amid similar concerns. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating cases of occupants trapped in the Tesla Model Y, and lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require manual door releases on new vehicles and mandate ways for rescue workers to enter a car.
