Tesla is recalling nearly 3 million vehicles in China as part of a broader safety campaign focused on hidden emergency door releases that can be difficult for occupants to find after a crash or fire. The recall will add warning labels that point users toward manual door releases, while affected vehicles will also receive software updates.
Reuters reported that 11 automakers in China are taking similar action. Nine manufacturers, including Tesla, Xiaomi, Xpeng, Zeekr, and Lynk & Co., will add labels showing occupants where the emergency release mechanisms are located.
Electronic Door Latches Can Fail After a Crash
Electronic door latches have become common in electric vehicles because they allow owners to unlock doors using smartphones or NFC cards. However, the systems can stop working when a vehicle loses power after a collision.
Manufacturers usually provide a mechanical backup, but those releases are often hidden behind panels or placed in locations that passengers may not immediately recognize. That has raised concerns about whether occupants can exit quickly during emergencies.
China announced in February that hidden electronically actuated exterior door handles will be banned beginning in 2027 following a two-year review. The new recall expands that safety effort by making emergency release locations easier to identify.
U.S. Regulators Are Also Reviewing Door Handle Safety
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into Tesla’s door-latching system in 2025 after reports highlighted cases in which occupants had difficulty opening doors. The agency is also considering new safety requirements for electronic door systems.
A U.S. lawmaker has proposed legislation that would require manual door releases to be intuitive and readily accessible to occupants.
Other automakers have faced similar concerns. Rivian customers and employees criticized the rear manual release in some R1 vehicles because passengers needed to remove a panel and pull a cord.
Rivian later said it would move the release to a more accessible location in its newer R2 vehicle. Ford also briefly stopped sales of the Mustang Mach-E in 2025 and issued a recall related to electronic door latches that could malfunction if the vehicle lost power.
Tesla, which helped popularize flush exterior handles and electronic latches, has said it is working on redesigned door handles for future vehicles. The China recall adds warning labels and software changes while regulators in several markets continue reviewing the safety of electronic door systems.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
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