Tesla Recalls Over 5.71 Million Vehicles in China for Emergency Handle and Steering Issues
Tesla is recalling more than 5.71 million vehicles in China, covering domestic and imported models, due to issues with emergency handles and assisted steering. The recall, filed with the market regulator, includes two batches. The first batch, starting 25 September 2026, involves around 2.97 million vehicles including Model 3, Model Y, Model X and Model S with specific production dates. The second batch covers 2,740,642 domestic Model 3 and Model Y vehicles produced between 2019 and 2025, effective immediately upon filing. Tesla will add warning labels and upgrade software via OTA to address the risks.
Tesla (Shanghai) Co. , Ltd. and Tesla (Beijing) Co. have filed a recall plan with the State Administration for Market Regulation in accordance with the Regulations on the Administration of Recall of Defective Automobile Products and its implementation measures, covering certain domestically produced and imported pure electric vehicles, with a total of more than 5.71 million units.
The first batch of recalls begins on 25 September 2026 and involves multiple models. For domestically produced Model 3 electric vehicles, those produced from 4 March 2019 to 29 April 2026 total 973,156 units. For domestically produced Model Y electric vehicles, those produced from 16 November 2020 to 30 April 2026 total 1,956,713 units. For imported models, Model 3 imported vehicles produced from 22 August 2018 to 20 November 2019 total 35,590 units, Model X imported vehicles produced from 27 October 2022 to 13 February 2026 total 8,328 units, and Model S imported vehicles produced from 18 January 2023 to 10 February 2026 total 2,123 units.
The second batch of recalls takes effect from the date the plan was filed, involving domestically produced Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles with production dates from 4 March 2019 to 7 December 2025, totaling 2,740,642 units.
To address the issues, Tesla will, free of charge, affix warning labels to vehicles in the first batch and upgrade window control software through over-the-air (OTA) technology to add a post-accident window lowering strategy. For vehicles already equipped with warning labels, no additional labeling is required. For vehicles in the second batch, Tesla will upgrade software free of charge via OTA, adding an in-cabin camera monitoring function on the basis of the existing steering wheel torque monitoring to strengthen driver attention alerts. Users can complete the upgrade without visiting a service center. For vehicles that cannot undergo OTA upgrades, Tesla service centers will contact the relevant users to carry out the recall to eliminate safety hazards.
Why this event matters
The event has a measured impact on 1 industry. The strongest current signal is negative for New Energy Vehicles, with intensity 60/100 and 70% confidence over a short term horizon.
Impact figures are analytical estimates that combine direction, intensity, confidence and event importance. They are not investment advice.