Tesla recalls 734 Model 3 cars in China due to seat belt and tire problems

Tesla is recalling 734 units of its 2019-manufactured Model 3 electric car imported to China due to seat belt or tire-related problems.

The tire-related problem could increase the risk of collision, while the seat belt issue could increase the risk of passenger injury in a collision.

The carmaker had recalled tens of thousands of vehicles in China and the US in the last several months.

Tesla, which garnered a slew of negative consumer and media reports on brake failures and collisions in China in the last several months, claimed it was not aware of any recall-related crash or injury.

Tesla had also issued two separate recalls to address seat belt issues.

One covering 5,530 vehicles of the 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2019-2021 Model Y due to improper attachments of fasteners that secure the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar.

The other recalled 2,166 Model Y vehicles from 2019-2021 also due to improper attachments of fasteners securing second-row seat belt retractors.

In China, Tesla’s Model 3 has outsold similarly priced models from Chinese start-ups such as Nio to become among the three best-selling electric cars. A budget car called the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV occupies the first spot.