Tesla is initiating its most extensive recall in China, encompassing over 1.6 million exported Model S, X, 3, and Y electric vehicles, due to issues with their automatic assisted steering and door latch controls.
This recall, marking Tesla’s largest in China, impacts the majority of the vehicles it has sold in the country, according to reports from Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal.
China’s state administration for market regulation announced the recall on Friday. The agency specified that Tesla in Beijing and Shanghai would utilize remote upgrades to address the concerns, minimizing the need for car owners to physically visit Tesla service centers.
This action follows another recall in the US last month, affecting over 2 million Tesla EVs, aimed at enhancing the system for monitoring drivers.
The Chinese recall, primarily related to problems with the automatic steering assist function, pertains to 1.6 million imported Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles. The notice highlighted that when the automatic steering function is engaged, drivers might misuse the combined driving function, leading to an increased risk of accidents.
A separate recall to rectify the door unlock logic control for imported Model S and Model X EVs impacts 7,538 vehicles manufactured between October 26, 2022, and November 16, 2023. This measure aims to prevent door latches from unintentionally opening during a collision.
The recall comes in the wake of a two-year investigation by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into a series of crashes, some fatal, occurring while the Autopilot partially automated driving system was in use. The investigation determined that the system was defective.
The introduced upgrades aim to encourage drivers using the Autopilot system to remain more attentive to the road. Documents submitted by Tesla to the US government outlined that the online software change would heighten warnings and alerts to prompt drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel.
However, research conducted by the NHTSA, the National Transportation Safety Board, and other investigators indicates that merely measuring torque on the steering wheel does not guarantee that drivers are paying sufficient attention.
China plays a significant role as a market and manufacturing hub for Tesla, with CEO Elon Musk cultivating close ties with Chinese officials despite strained US-China relations. Tesla established an electric vehicle plant in Shanghai in 2019, producing cars for China, Europe, and other global markets.
In the thriving Chinese electric vehicle market, Tesla holds the second position, with Chinese auto company BYD recently surpassing its US competitor to become the market leader.
