Tesla forced to update 127,000 Model 3s in China due to semiconductor problem

Tesla has been ordered to update more than 127,000 Model 3 vehicles on behalf of the Chinese market watchdog SAMR. It is an over-the-air update that corrects a small manufacturing error. In extreme cases, the problem could cause accidents.

The problem concerns a semiconductor manufacturing defect, the State Administration for Market Regulation reported South China Morning Post. The part could cause collisions and safety risks under extreme conditions, the government body said. It’s not clear at this point how the update will work around the issue in question, or whether it will also apply to Model 3s in other markets.

The ‘recall’ concerns Model 3 electric vehicles produced between January of 2019 and January 2022. In principle, the cars can be updated remotely, but if this is not possible, owners must go to a service point. Unlike the more extreme recalls, a software update will suffice in this case; nothing physically needs to be done to a Model 3.