Tesla recalls nearly 3 million vehicles in China over door handle defect

Tesla has announced a significant recall affecting nearly 2.9 million vehicles manufactured at its Shanghai facility, marking one of the company's largest safety campaigns in the Chinese market. The action targets both the Model 3 and Model Y variants, which represent a substantial portion of Tesla's production output in the region.

The recall stems from identified safety issues with the vehicles' door handles, prompting the automaker to address the defect before it leads to potential accidents or injuries. Tesla has scheduled the recall to begin on September 25, with affected vehicle owners expected to contact authorized service centres for rectification.

China represents one of Tesla's most important markets outside the United States, and the Shanghai factory is the company's primary production hub for the Asia-Pacific region. This recall underscores the heightened regulatory scrutiny that electric vehicle manufacturers face in the country, where safety standards have become increasingly stringent.

The company has not disclosed specific details regarding the nature of the door handle malfunction or the remedial measures that will be implemented during the recall process. Vehicle owners in Malaysia who may have purchased Chinese-made Tesla vehicles should monitor official Tesla communications for any potential regional impact or guidance.