Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) will need to mend almost every car it has ever sold in China after the country's market regulator ordered a recall.
Starting at the end of May, Eleon Musk's electric vehicle maker will take back 1,104,622 cars that were produced between January 12, 2019, and April 24, 2023, the State Administration for Market Regulation said, citing a plan filed by Tesla with the regulator.
The models to be recalled include imported Model S, Model X, Model 3 and China-made Model 3 and Model 6.
The vehicles have issues that may increase the probability of drivers “mistakenly stepping on the accelerator pedal” for an extended period, which could increase the risk of collision and pose a “safety hazard,” the statement said.
The problem occurs when a driver takes their foot off the accelerator in order to slow down.
When that happens, what typically occurs is the additional power starts getting transferred to the car's battery to charge it up.
This makes the rate of deceleration somewhat uncertain, and could increase the risk of collision and pose a safety hazard, China's regulator said.
Because of this defect, drivers may mistakenly step on the accelerator pedal, thinking it's the brake.
The company plans to make adjustments or add notification features to the recalled vehicles to reduce the risk.
In March, Tesla recalled more than 2,600 imported Model S cars in China, according to the SAMR. The hood of those vehicles could pop open unexpectedly while driving, posing safety risks for the vehicle and other cars.
Tesla shares were trading 1% higher in pre-market trading taking heart from news that a new CEO is set to be appointed at Twitter which analysts hope will mean Elon Musk will turn his attention back to the EV maker.
Dan Ives at Wedbush tweeted: "Musk stepping down as Twitter CEO sooner than thought is clearly good news overall for Tesla investors. Less time focused on Twitter platform and more time around Tesla SpaceX…balancing act too difficult and needed to make this move sooner rather than later."