China’s market regulator has ordered Tesla to recall over 1.1 million cars in the country, citing a reported flaw in the regenerative braking system. The recall covers all Model 3 and Model Y cars made in China between January 2019 and April 2023, as well as some imported Model 3, Model S, and Model X vehicles.
The issue with the regenerative braking system is that it does not allow drivers to set the intensity of the braking or receive alerts when the accelerator pedal is pressed for a long time. This could lead to drivers accidentally misusing the pedals and causing a crash.
Tesla will fix the issue through a software update that will both tweak the default regenerative braking level and let users customize the system’s strength. The update will also notify drivers when the accelerator pedal is pressed for a long time.
Tesla has disbanded its PR team and has not commented on the recall. However, Bloomberg points out that Chinese drivers have complained multiple times about acceleration and braking issues. One driver used the 2021 Shanghai auto show to highlight a serious crash where her father nearly died after the brakes failed. Tesla apologized, but did not acknowledge a glitch and noted the high speed before the collision.
As with most Tesla recalls, the software update will not significantly disrupt the company’s business in the short term. However, it’s not a good look for a brand that has had numerous recalls in recent years, including 80,000 in China last fall for software and seat belt problems. Tesla depends heavily on China for revenue — it’s home to the giant Gigafactory Shanghai, which currently produces more than half of the firm’s cars each year. Tesla can’t afford to alienate either customers or officials.
The recall is a setback for Tesla, which has been facing increasing scrutiny in China. In recent months, the company has been fined for misleading advertising and for failing to properly handle customer complaints. The recall could further damage Tesla’s reputation in China, which is a key market for the company.
Tesla has said that it is committed to safety and that it is working to address the issues that led to the recall. The company has also said that it will be transparent with customers about the recall and that it will provide them with a free software update to fix the issue.
The recall is a reminder that even the most advanced automakers are not immune to safety issues. It is important for drivers to be aware of the potential dangers of any vehicle and to take steps to mitigate those risks.
