Tesla is recalling three million cars in China; in a dozen incidents, the doors became jammed
At least 15 people have died in a dozen accidents in China in which occupants or rescue workers were unable to open the doors of a Tesla that had crashed and caught fire.
Tesla, and at least eight other car manufacturersare, recalling 4.27 million vehicles in China due to safety issues with the door handles, a significant step towards tackling a vehicle entrapment problem that has had fatal consequences.
Tesla accounts for the largest share, with just under 3 million vehicles covered by the recall announced on 21 August 2026.
According to a statement from the Chinese State Administration for Market Regulation, Tesla vehicles are fitted with electrically operated door handles that may cease to function in the event of an accident, which “could prevent occupants from quickly opening the doors to escape and hinder rescue operations by those outside the vehicle, posing a safety hazard”.
As part of the recall, the car manufacturer will update the software to automatically lower the windows following a collision and will affix warning labels indicating the location of the emergency door release mechanisms.
Vehicles fitted with flush-mounted electric door handles have been involved in a series of incidents in which occupants have become trapped inside their cars after the vehicles lost power, even following a collision.
