Tesla to Recall Nearly 3 Million Vehicles in China Over Door-Handle Issue

Tesla announced on Friday that it will recall roughly 2.98 million vehicles in China, covering both imported and locally produced Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X cars. The recall follows a safety assessment that the cars' electronically operated, retractable door handles could become difficult to open if the low-voltage system fails after a severe collision.

"The problem could hinder occupants from quickly opening the doors to escape and impede rescue efforts by those outside the vehicle, posing a safety hazard," the company said.

Tesla plans to affix warning labels to affected vehicles and will push a remote software update that causes the windows to lower automatically after an accident. Owners whose cars cannot receive the update will be contacted to arrange service appointments.

The recall coincides with announcements from eight other Chinese automakers, together affecting about 4.3 million vehicles, making Tesla's action the largest single-vehicle recall in the country. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said no similar recalls have been announced for the United States.

In a separate notice, Tesla also recalled more than 218,000 vehicles for delayed rear-view camera images and earlier this year recalled 175 Cybertrucks over wheel-stud concerns.