China recalls 1.6m Teslas for Autopilot, steering issues

The recall impacts most Tesla sales in China, following a recent 2 million-car recall in the US.

Tesla is recalling over 1.6 million exported Model S, X, 3, and Y electric vehicles in China due to issues with their automatic assisted steering and door latch controls. This marks Tesla’s largest-ever recall in China and impacts the majority of its sold cars in the country, as reported by Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal.

On Friday, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation declared the recall. The agency stated that Tesla in Beijing and Shanghai would utilize remote upgrades to address the issues, minimizing the necessity for car owners to physically visit Tesla service centers in most cases.

Following a recall in the US last month, where over 2 million Tesla electric vehicles were recalled to enhance the driver monitoring system, this latest recall has been initiated.

The recall in China pertains to issues with the automatic steering assist feature and affects 1.6 million imported Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles. According to the notice, there is a potential for drivers to misapply the combined driving function when the automatic steering is activated, thereby elevating the risk of accidents.

The recall targeting the door unlock logic control of imported Model S and Model X electric vehicles impacts 7,538 cars manufactured between October 26, 2022, and November 16, 2023. The purpose of this recall is to prevent door latches from unintentionally opening in the event of a collision.

The recall resulted from a two-year inquiry conducted by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into a sequence of accidents, including fatal ones, that transpired while the Autopilot partially automated driving system was active. The investigation revealed a defect in the system.

The enhancements aim to encourage Autopilot users to remain more vigilant on the road. According to documents submitted by Tesla to the US government, the online software update will amplify warnings and alerts to remind drivers to maintain hands on the steering wheel.

Nevertheless, investigations carried out by entities such as the NHTSA and the National Transportation Safety Board reveal that solely monitoring torque on the steering wheel does not guarantee that drivers are sufficiently attentive.

China holds a significant position as both a market and manufacturing hub for Tesla. Despite strained US-China relations, Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, has fostered close connections with Chinese officials. The company established an electric vehicle plant in Shanghai in 2019, producing cars for China, Europe, and other international markets.

In the thriving Chinese electric vehicle market, Tesla ranks as the second-largest seller, with the top spot held by the Chinese auto company BYD, which recently surpassed its American competitor.