Tesla recalls nearly 3 million vehicles in China over door handle safety issue

Tesla is initiating a massive recall of nearly 3 million vehicles in China, addressing safety concerns related to its retractable electric door handles. The Chinese market is affected by this significant recall, as reported by major foreign media outlets including Bloomberg.

The State Administration for Market Regulation in China flagged the potential danger posed by these handles, which retract flush with the car body for aerodynamic and aesthetic reasons. A critical flaw identified is that in the event of a collision or power failure, the handles may not function, preventing occupants from opening the doors from the outside. Bloomberg has previously reported on incidents where this issue may have hindered rescue efforts, potentially leading to fatalities.

To rectify this issue, Tesla plans to update the software in affected vehicles. This update will enable the windows to automatically lower when a crash occurs, facilitating easier access for rescue personnel. Additionally, the company will provide labels indicating the location of the emergency manual door release.

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The retractable electric handles currently applied to Tesla vehicles reduce air resistance and create a sleek design, but they have a critical drawback: they cannot open the door from the outside if power is cut off during a collision.

This recall is not isolated to Tesla. China's intensified regulations on retractable handles earlier this year have led to similar actions by other manufacturers. Companies like Xiaomi, Leapmotor, and Xpeng are also recalling a combined total of over 4.27 million vehicles for related quality issues, marking the largest recall in China for such problems.

Globally, similar scrutiny is mounting. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating Tesla's Model Y for potential "trapped occupant" issues. Furthermore, a bill mandating the inclusion of manual door release mechanisms has been introduced in the U.S. Congress, suggesting that regulatory actions and recalls concerning this safety feature may expand worldwide.

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In the event of a fire, rescue workers could not open the door, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 occupants.