Tesla recalls nearly 3 million vehicles in China over hidden door handles
A nationwide regulatory push in China is forcing Tesla and ten other manufacturers to address safety concerns regarding electronic door latches and the location of manual emergency releases.
Tesla is recalling just under 3 million vehicles in China as part of a sector-wide initiative to address the safety of hidden emergency door releases. The move, reported by Reuters, involves 11 carmakers issuing recalls to alert owners to manual releases that can be difficult to locate during a crash or fire.
Nine of the manufacturers, including Tesla, will install physical warning labels on their vehicles to help occupants identify these emergency mechanisms. The recall also includes electric vehicle makers Xiaomi, Xpeng, and Geely brands Zeekr and Lynk & Co. All 11 companies involved will push software updates as part of the corrective measures.
The recalls follow a two-year review by Chinese authorities, who announced in February that they would ban hidden, electronically-actuated exterior door handles from 2027. Electronic door latches have become standard in the industry, allowing entry via smartphone or NFC tap, but critics argue they can fail during collisions, leaving occupants reliant on manual backups that are often tucked away behind door panels.
The issue has also drawn scrutiny in the United States, where the top automotive safety regulator opened an investigation into Tesla’s door-latching system late last year. This followed reporting by Bloomberg that highlighted the problem, with the agency now considering new rules for safety requirements. One lawmaker has proposed legislation requiring manual releases to be intuitive and readily accessible.
Tesla is not the only automaker facing challenges with this design. Rivian moved the manual release on its R2 vehicle to a more accessible spot after concerns were raised about the R1 design, which requires passengers to remove a panel and pull a cord. Similarly, Ford briefly stopped sales of the Mustang Mach-E in 2025 and issued a recall to reduce the risk of electronic door latch malfunctions if the vehicles lost power.
Tesla, which popularised the use of flush exterior handles and electronic latches, has stated it is working on redesigning its door handles moving forward to address these emerging safety standards.
