Tesla is recalling more than 1.6 million vehicles in China, marking its largest recall in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market. The recall encompasses potentially all vehicles delivered by Tesla in China.
The recall, prompted by software issues, covers a total of 1,610,105 vehicles produced between August 26, 2014, and December 20, 2023. The affected models include locally produced Model 3 and Model Y, as well as imported Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles.
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According to the statement from China’s State Administration for Market Regulation, Tesla identified concerns with the automatic assisted steering function, which could lead to drivers misusing the L2 combined driver assist feature, thereby increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
To address the issue, Tesla plans to provide the recalled vehicles with newly developed features through an over-the-air (OTA) upgrade. The enhancements include additional automatic assisted steering controls and related prompts to encourage responsible driving behavior when the feature is engaged, reducing the risk of crashes resulting from misuse.
The recall will be carried out in phases, allowing users to complete the software upgrade remotely, without the need to visit a Tesla store. For vehicles that cannot be updated via OTA, Tesla will contact users to facilitate the free-of-charge software upgrade for the vehicle.
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Additionally, Tesla is recalling 7,538 imported Model S and Model X vehicles with production dates between October 26, 2022, and November 16, 2023. The recall addresses a control issue with the door unlocking logic, where the non-crash side door latch may disengage in the event of a crash, leaving the door in a non-locked state. Tesla plans to upgrade the software for these vehicles through OTA technology to prevent such issues during a collision.
Tesla advises affected users to exercise caution when driving until the recall is implemented and to promptly upgrade their vehicle software upon receiving the recall software update notice. The company’s factory in Shanghai, operational since the end of 2019, is the first wholly foreign-owned automotive manufacturing project in China.
