Tesla is recalling 1.68 million vehicles in China to fix an issue with the hood latch. The recall affects Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles built between October 2020 and July 2024. According to the State Administration for Market Regulation, the problem is related to the hood of these cars.
An unlatched hood could potentially block the driver’s view of the road if it opens while driving. The Model 3 and Model Y vehicles affected by this recall were made in China. The Model S and Model X cars were built in the United States and shipped to China.
Tesla will fix this issue with an Over-the-Air software update. Drivers will need an internet connection to download and install the software. Tesla addressed the same problem in the United States last week with a similar Over-the-Air update.
China is an important market for Tesla, and its electric vehicles are some of the most popular in the country. However, Tesla faces tougher competition in China than in the United States.
Tesla recall affects Chinese vehicles
Electric vehicles are more common and affordable in China. Despite this, Tesla has a good relationship with the Chinese government.
CEO Elon Musk recently met with Chinese officials and made a deal earlier this year. The recall notice said an unlocked trunk lid could open while driving and block the driver’s vision. However, it did not say if this has actually happened with any Tesla cars.
Vehicles with broken trunk latches will be repaired for free. Tesla reported lower sales in China last month, even though it offered price cuts and low-interest financing options. The software update is meant to improve vehicle safety and keep customers happy as competition grows in the market.
According to data from the China Automotive Technology and Research Center, around 1.9 million Teslas had been registered in China as of June. Driver complaints in China led to a similar recall of more than 1.8 million Teslas in the US last month. This is the second large-scale recall to affect Tesla in China this year.
In January, the company deployed software updates to 1.6 million vehicles to fix a problem with its Autopilot advanced driver assistance system.
