China’s State Administration for Market Regulation announced that Tesla China is recalling a total of 285,520 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles manufactured between January 2019 and as recently as June 7, 2021, citing the active cruise control feature in the vehicles was being enabled unintentionally. Much of the recall can be conducted via Tesla’s OTA feature.

Details: According to a recall statement published by the SAMR, Tesla China is recalling 35,665 Model 3 vehicles sold by Tesla Beijing manufactured between Jan. 12, 2019 and Nov. 27. Tesla Shanghai is recalling 211,256 Model 3 vehicles manufactured between Dec. 19, 2019 and June 7, 2021, as well as 38,599 new Model Y vehicles manufactured between Jan. 1 and June 7 this year. Total number amounted to 285,520.

Reason for the software recall is due to the active cruise control feature being susceptible to be enabled unintentionally due to driver’s operation, such as shifting gear when the car is in D (drive), or accidentally touching the right shifter during sharp turns. When the active cruise control is enabled, the vehicles would automatically try to match the pre-configured cruise speed, resulting in sudden accelerations.

Much of the recall can be completed “over the air”, or OTA, which is a software update feature advertised by Tesla, although car owners who have trouble getting the OTA update will be contacted by the company to schedule a physical inspection and update. The update will be completely free.

Context: Tesla China has long been at the center of a recent wave of controversies related to its quality issues and mishandling of consumer complaints. In March, Tesla China reportedly suppressed a consumer’s complaint of brake malfunction by pressuring the car owner’s superiors. During the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show, Tesla China was found manhandling a customer of its vehicle who protested loudly at the brand’s booth.

In February, Tesla China was summoned by a joint task force of 5 top Chinese regulators in the technology, internet, transportation, and emergency management sectors, over quality and safety control allegations against the company. The company also faced setbacks after its data storage practices was trending in Chinese social media.

Back in December last year, PingWest published an exclusive and comprehensive report on a myriad of workplace safety and quality control claims within the company’s Shanghai Gigafactory 3.