Tesla recalls nearly 3 million cars in China over hidden door handles

Tesla is among 11 automakers issuing recalls in China as part of a nationwide push to address hidden emergency door releases that could trap occupants during a crash or fire. According to Reuters, Tesla alone is recalling just under 3 million vehicles in the country.

Nine of the companies, including Tesla, will add warning labels to help occupants locate the manual emergency release. Xiaomi, Xpeng, and Geely-owned brands Zeekr and Lynk & Co. are also part of the recall. All 11 automakers will additionally roll out software updates.

Why it matters

The issue stems from automakers, Tesla among them, increasingly adopting electronic door latches that let drivers unlock vehicles with a smartphone or NFC card. These systems can fail in a collision, which is why manual backup releases are typically installed — though they are often hidden behind door panels or tucked in hard-to-find spots.

Following a two-year review, China announced in February that it will ban hidden, electronically operated exterior door handles starting in 2027.

In the U.S., the top vehicle safety regulator opened an investigation into Tesla's door-latch system late last year after Bloomberg reporting highlighted the issue, and is considering new safety rules for such systems. One lawmaker has proposed requiring manual releases to be intuitive and easily accessible.

Tesla is not alone in facing scrutiny over hard-to-find manual releases. Rivian previously faced concerns from customers and employees about the release mechanism on its R1 vehicles, and said it would make the feature more accessible on its newer, cheaper R2. In 2025, Ford temporarily halted Mustang Mach-E sales and issued a recall over a similar latch problem. Tesla, which helped popularize flush handles and electronic latches, has said it is redesigning its door handles.