Tesla is recalling more than 1.6 million electric vehicles imported into China due to problems with self-driving functions and door lock controls.
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation announced the recall decision.
It is said that Tesla Motors in Beijing and Shanghai will use remote upgrade technology to solve the problem, so that in most cases car owners would not have to come to service centers.
The recall due to problems with the automatic steering assist function affects 1.6 million imported Tesla models “S”, “X”, “Model 3” and “Y”.
The notice warns that when the automatic steering function is engaged, drivers can abuse it in combination driving, thereby increasing the risk of accidents.
A recall to repair the door unlock logic control is required to prevent the door from opening during a crash. This problem covers slightly more than 7,500 vehicles.
Tesla will provide the recalled vehicles with newly developed features, including the addition of additional automatic assisted steering controls and related prompts, through an over-the-air (OTA) upgrade.
These new features will further urge drivers to perform their driving duties and follow driving regulations when the feature is enabled to reduce the risk of a crash caused by misuse of the assisted steering feature.
Tesla will upgrade the software for the recalled vehicles free of charge through OTA technology to prevent the door latch from disengaging from the latch during a vehicle collision.
Tesla advises users to drive their vehicles with caution until the vehicle recall is implemented, and to upgrade their vehicle software as soon as possible after receiving the recall software update notice.
Tesla has a factory in Shanghai, which began construction on January 7, 2019, and went into operation at the end of 2019, making it the first wholly foreign-owned automotive manufacturing project in China.
Giga Shanghai began delivering Model 3 sedans in January 2020 and Model Y crossovers in January 2021 to local consumers.
By the end of November 2023, Tesla had delivered a cumulative total of 1,426,303 locally-produced Model 3s and Model Ys in China, data compiled by CnEVPost showed.
Tesla sold 94,139 China-made vehicles in December, including those exported and those sold locally, the second highest on record behind November 2022’s 100,291, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).
