China orders massive recall of Tesla and other vehicles over safety concerns

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation just told nine automakers to recall approximately 4.3 million vehicles over safety defects, with Tesla bearing the brunt of the action at roughly 2.98 million units. The recall, set to take effect on September 25, 2026, centers on a deceptively simple problem: people can’t figure out how to open their car doors in an emergency. The issue involves flush or retractable door handles, the kind that sit seamlessly against the body of the car for aerodynamic sleekness. They become a serious liability when a crash knocks out the vehicle’s electrical system and a panicked occupant can’t locate the mechanical backup release. What’s actually being recalled Tesla’s recalled fleet consists primarily of China-built Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, along with a smaller batch of imported units. Most affected vehicles will receive free warning labels pointing occupants to the emergency door release mechanism. Tesla will also push an over-the-air software update that automatically lowers windows after a collision is detected, giving occupants an alternative exit path if the doors prove stubborn. Beyond Tesla, the recall sweeps in several prominent Chi...