Last updated on March 21st, 2024 at 07:43 am

The recall reportedly impacts most cars Tesla has sold in China and follows a recall of over 2 million Teslas in the US last month

Tesla is recalling over 1.6 million Model S, X, 3, and Y electric vehicles that were exported to China due to issues with their automatic assisted steering and door latch controls. This is Tesla’s largest recall ever in China and affects most of the cars it has sold in the country, according to Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal.

China’s state administration for market regulation announced the recall on Friday. Tesla in Beijing and Shanghai will use remote upgrades to address the problems, so in most cases, car owners will not need to visit Tesla service centers.

This recall comes after another recall in the US last month involving over 2 million Tesla EVs to enhance its system for monitoring drivers.

The Chinese recall, stemming from issues with the automatic steering assist function, pertains to 1.6 million imported Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y vehicles. According to the notice, there is a risk of accidents when drivers engage the automatic steering function and potentially misuse the combined driving function.

Regarding the recall for the door unlock logic control in imported Model S and Model X electric vehicles, it affects 7,538 vehicles manufactured between October 26, 2022, and November 16, 2023. This recall aims to prevent door latches from opening during a collision.

The recall comes after a two-year investigation by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into a series of crashes, including some fatal incidents, involving the use of Tesla’s Autopilot partially automated driving system. The investigation concluded that the system was defective.

The upgrades aim to increase driver attention while using the Autopilot system. Tesla’s filings to the US government indicate that the online software update will enhance warnings and alerts to remind drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel.

However, research conducted by the NHTSA, the National Transportation Safety Board, and other investigators suggests that simply measuring torque on the steering wheel does not guarantee that drivers are paying adequate attention.

China serves as a significant market and manufacturing hub for Tesla. Despite strained US-China relations, Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, has cultivated strong relationships with Chinese officials. The company established an electric vehicle plant in Shanghai in 2019, producing vehicles for China, Europe, and other international markets.

Tesla holds the second position in the rapidly growing Chinese electric vehicle market, with Chinese auto company BYD surpassing it as the market leader.