China Pulls 3 Million Teslas From Road Over Hidden Door Handles


Customer inspecting minimalistic hidden door handles on an electric car

Minimalist retractable door handles became a signature feature of electric vehicles, but have resulted in China’s biggest recall of more than 4 million cars.


The recall covers 2.98 million Chinese‑made Teslas after safety reviews found the hidden handles difficult to locate and operate during emergencies.


XPeng, Xiaomi and Geely are also included, following the same design concern.


Elon Musk’s Tesla marketed the handles as sleek, folding into the door panel – but the colour similarity to interior trim may impede quick opening during a low‑voltage collision.


Tesla announced that affected Model 3, Y, S and X cars will receive warning labels and a software update that automatically lowers windows after a crash.


China’s upcoming ban on hidden door handles will take effect on 1 Jan 2027, requiring mechanical releases on both door sides.


The recall follows US NHTSA investigations into sudden handle failures that left children trapped, raising calls for a new safety standard.