Tesla Faces Two China Recall Campaigns Covering Nearly 3 Million Vehicles

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China’s market regulator says Tesla will recall 2,975,910 vehicles over emergency-door-release visibility, while a separate campaign covers 2,740,642 China-built Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The populations overlap, so 5,716,552 is not a confirmed unique-vehicle count.

China's recall notice for two Tesla safety campaigns covering Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X vehicles

China’s Defect Product Recall Technical Center published a notice on August 21, 2026, covering two recall campaigns filed by Tesla (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and Tesla Automotive (Beijing) Co., Ltd. The regulator’s notice lists the affected vehicles, defects, remedies and owner-notification channels.

Starting September 25, Tesla will recall 2,975,910 vehicles in a campaign covering China-built Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, plus specified imported Model 3, Model X and Model S vehicles. The regulator says the interior emergency mechanical release can be difficult to identify and operate because its color is close to the surrounding trim. In a severe crash that also disables the vehicle’s low-voltage system, this could hinder escape or rescue.

Tesla will add warning labels where needed and update the window-control software over the air (OTA) to add a post-crash window-lowering strategy. Vehicles that already have the warning label do not need another one, according to the notice.

A separate recall, effective immediately, covers 2,740,642 China-built Model 3 and Model Y vehicles produced from March 4, 2019, through December 7, 2025. The regulator says the existing attention-monitoring mechanism may not adequately alert drivers whose gaze leaves the road while assisted steering and the combined driver-assistance system are active.

Tesla will use an OTA update to add cabin-camera monitoring alongside steering-wheel torque monitoring. Vehicles that cannot receive the update remotely will be handled through Tesla service centers, according to the regulator.

The two recall populations overlap. Therefore, 5,716,552 is the sum of recall actions, not a confirmed count of unique vehicles. Tesla and the regulator say affected owners will be notified through the Tesla app, text message or email. Owners can also contact Tesla at 400-910-0707 or consult the China Defect Product Recall Technical Center for more information.