Tesla is under pressure in China after regulators ordered the recall of nearly 3 million vehicles over a defect that could trap occupants inside during an emergency. The problem lies with the electronic door-locking system, which may fail in a severe collision. If the vehicle loses power, passengers may be unable to get out quickly.
China's State Administration for Market Regulation announced the recall, the largest in the country's automotive history. It follows a fatal accident in October 2025, when a driver in a SU7 model could not escape after a crash caused the car to catch fire and its electronic locks to fail. The incident prompted authorities to ban fully electronic door-locking systems starting in 2027. Manufacturers will have to provide mechanical overrides for emergencies.
Tesla accounts for the largest share of the 4.3 million electric vehicles affected across nine brands: 2.9 million cars. The recall covers Model 3 and Model Y units produced in Shanghai, as well as imported Model 3 and Model S vehicles. Imported Model X cars are also included, with all affected vehicles subject to inspection and modification. The regulator warned that "in extreme situations, such as serious collisions that disable the vehicle's low-voltage system, passengers' ability to open doors and escape or be rescued could be compromised."
Other manufacturers are affected too. Xiaomi and Leapmotor are among them, as is Xpeng, with hundreds of thousands of their vehicles recalled for similar reasons. The new rules require all future models to have simple mechanical door-release mechanisms. The shift challenges the dominance of electronic-only systems popularized by Tesla.
The sweeping recall comes as competition in China's electric vehicle market intensifies. Recent coverage of Hyundai's ambitious redesign of its Tucson SUV (see how Hyundai is adapting to new market realities) shows how global automakers face mounting pressure to meet China's changing safety and regulatory standards.
For Tesla, the recall is a major setback in its most impressive overseas market. The company must retrofit millions of vehicles to meet the new safety requirements or risk losing ground to faster-moving rivals. The episode shows how much influence Chinese regulators now have over global automotive trends, and puts practical safety features in high-tech electric cars under scrutiny.
Industry analysts say the move could speed up the adoption of hybrid safety systems worldwide as manufacturers try to avoid similar regulatory challenges in other markets. Tesla and its competitors face a deadline: resolve the issue before 2027 or risk the future of their Chinese operations.
