Tesla Responds to Recall of Nearly 3 Million Vehicles: Owners Don't All Need to Visit Stores

Summary

Tesla China's official customer service recently responded to the recall of nearly 3 million vehicles, stating that the recall is handled in two ways: owners do not all need to visit stores, and the software part can be resolved through OTA updates. The recall involves three campaign numbers. Under S2026M0098V, 973,156 locally produced Model 3s (manufactured from March 4, 2019 to April 29, 2026) and 1,956,713 locally produced Model Ys (manufactured from November 16, 2020 to April 30, 2026) are recalled. Under S2026M0099V, a total of 46,041 imported Model 3, Model X, and Model S vehicles are recalled. The two batches total approximately 2.976 million vehicles, with the recall taking effect from September 25. The cause is that the emergency mechanical door handle is similar in color to the interior trim, making it difficult to identify and operate. In extreme situations such as a severe collision causing the vehicle's low-voltage system to fail, this could affect occupants' ability to quickly open doors to escape and hinder external rescue, posing a safety hazard. Tesla will address the software part via OTA upgrades, while some vehicles may require hardware adjustments and owners will be notified to visit service centers. This massive recall, mostly resolved remotely, highlights a new approach in the era of smart vehicles. It serves as a reminder to all automakers that…