Recalls
Recalls

Almost every Tesla in China ‘recalled’ with alleged safety fault

It’s so far unclear if Australian-delivered Tesla cars – which are now built exclusively at the Shanghai Gigafactory – will be affected.


Tesla has recalled 285,520 vehicles in China, citing a software fault allegedly affecting locally-built and imported examples of the Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV.

According to state-owned media, the electric cars' cruise control functions could be inadvertently engaged when the driver attempts to select a gear (forward or reverse). In extreme cases, this could lead to an accident and occupant injury.

The affected vehicles were built between 12 January 2019 and 7 June 2021 at Tesla’s factories in Fremont and Shanghai. In the majority of cases, it’s believed the fault will be repairable via an over-the-air update (OTA).

According to Bloomberg, the recall comprises “almost all” Tesla vehicles ever sold in China. The manufacturer does not publish sales data, however figures from the China Passenger Car Association suggest this is roughly accurate.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to our car owners. In the meantime, Tesla will strictly follow national regulations and keep improving our safety protection, adamantly providing an excellent and safe driving experience to our customers,” Tesla said in an official statement posted to Chinese social media outlet Weibo overnight.

Australian-delivered examples of the Model 3 (the only Tesla model currently offered Down Under, with the Model S and Model X on brief hiatus) are now exclusively made in China at the Shanghai Gigafactory. However, it’s unclear if local examples will be affected by the cruise control fault.

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William Davis

William Davis has written for Drive since July 2020, covering news and current affairs in the automotive industry. He has maintained a primary focus on industry trends, autonomous technology, electric vehicle regulations, and local environmental policy. As the newest addition to the Drive team, William was brought onboard for his attention to detail, writing skills, and strong work ethic. Despite writing for a diverse range of outlets – including the Australian Financial Review, Robb Report, and Property Observer – since completing his media degree at Macquarie University, William has always had a passion for cars.

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