European regulators have not ordered a recall of Tesla vehicles over concerns about electronically controlled, retractable door handles, according to the Dutch Road Transport Authority (RDW). The agency stated on Wednesday that no recall is currently required in Europe for the affected electric vehicles.
The issue centers on safety risks when electrical failure prevents doors from opening intuitively—either from inside or outside—without tools. In China, Tesla and eight other automakers, including Xiaomi, Leapmotor and Xpeng, must recall a total of 4.3 million vehicles, with nearly three million of those being Tesla models. The recalls follow incidents where passengers were unable to exit vehicles after accidents due to inoperable electronic door handles. Many cases involve difficulties locating or operating mechanical emergency handles.
In Germany, a fatal Tesla accident last year involving three deaths prompted an investigation by the Federal Ministry of Transport. The ministry noted that the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) is still reviewing safety concerns, with the RDW serving as the primary EU type-approval authority for Tesla in this context. Automakers in the EU may select a national authority to grant EU-wide vehicle approvals.
While China plans to ban flush-mounted door handles from next year, European regulators are considering updated safety requirements for emergency situations rather than a ban. Mercedes-Benz, which offers flush-mounted handles on all new models, confirmed it is not affected by the Chinese recall but is preparing for the upcoming prohibition by ensuring all future vehicles will feature permanently accessible door handles.
A company spokesperson said Mercedes will exclusively offer handles that remain mechanically operable from standard positions at all times, eliminating reliance on electronic systems.
