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U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla is conducting a large-scale recall in China. / Yonhap

U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla is recalling about 2.98 million vehicles in China over a safety issue in which car doors may be difficult to open in the event of an accident.

According to Reuters and Bloomberg on the 21st (local time), China's State Administration for Market Regulation announced a recall covering about 4.27 million vehicles from nine automakers, including Tesla, which accounts for the largest share at about 2.98 million.

The recall covers models manufactured or imported into China, including the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X.

The issue involves the vehicles' emergency door release mechanism. If power is cut off during a collision, it can be difficult to operate the emergency mechanical door release, potentially delaying occupants' escape or rescue.

While flush door handles, which retract into the body when not in use, offer the advantage of a smoother exterior appearance, concerns have persistently been raised that occupants could become trapped inside the vehicle if power is lost in an accident.

In response, Tesla plans to attach warning labels to recalled vehicles indicating the location of the emergency door release. The company will also implement a software update that automatically lowers windows in the event of a collision.

Bloomberg had previously reported that at least 15 people died across 12 incidents in which fires broke out after Tesla vehicles crashed, and occupants or rescuers were unable to open the doors.

The recall also includes a large number of Chinese EV makers. After Tesla, Xiaomi is recalling about 390,000 vehicles, Leapmotor about 370,000, and XPeng about 260,000 — making this the largest auto recall in China tied to the same type of quality issue.

As electric vehicle accidents have continued to occur, China has been tightening regulations on flush door handles, with plans to ban their use starting next year.

Related safety concerns are also under investigation in the U.S. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating reports of occupants becoming trapped inside Tesla Model Y vehicles. A bill has also been introduced in the U.S. Congress that would require manual door-release mechanisms in new vehicles and ensure rescuers can access the vehicle's interior even when power is cut.

                                                                                                            Jang Ji-young