Tesla CEO Elon Musk. [Getty Images]
Tesla CEO Elon Musk. [Getty Images]

Tesla is recalling about 3 million vehicles in China after safety concerns emerged over its flush door handles.

China's State Administration for Market Regulation determined Friday that the flush door handles pose a safety risk, Bloomberg reported. Tesla will recall 2.98 million vehicles in the country as a result.

Tesla plans to push a software update to recalled vehicles that automatically lowers windows following a collision, and will also attach labels indicating the location of emergency manual release mechanisms.

The flush, motorized door handles stop working when power is cut. In a crash that severs the electrical supply, occupants could be trapped inside the vehicle.

Bloomberg has previously reported that at least 15 people died in incidents where Tesla vehicles caught fire after a collision and emergency responders were unable to open the doors.

Safety concerns were raised internally at Tesla as well, but CEO Elon Musk insisted on keeping the motorized handles, according to reports.

Chinese electric vehicle brands are also conducting recalls over the same issue. The total recall covers 4.27 million vehicles across nine automakers — the largest recall in China ever tied to a single quality defect.

Tesla accounts for the most vehicles at 2.98 million. Xiaomi follows with 390,440 units. Leapmotor is recalling 371,200 vehicles, Xpeng 264,840 and Zeekr 92,660.

Safety concerns over flush door handles have also surfaced in the United States.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently investigating reports of occupant entrapment in Tesla's Model Y. In Congress, legislation has been introduced that would require new vehicles to be equipped with manual door-opening mechanisms and provide emergency responders with a means to access the vehicle.


moon@heraldcorp.com