Tesla Model 3 gets its turn-signal stalks back—in China

[Desmond Milligan 0]

Tesla Model 3 gets its turn-signal stalks back—in China originally appeared on Autoblog.

Sometimes a Low-Tech Solution Is The Best

Tesla is determined to remove all physical controls from its dashboards but, in China at least, customers have pushed back. The Tesla Model 3 Highland refresh arrived in 2023 without turn-signal stalks, replacing them with buttons on the steering wheel, but Tesla is bringing them back in the world's largest new-car market.

Tesla's Chinese-market online configurator now shows turn-signal stalks as standard equipment. Tesla also reportedly plans to offer a "Model 3 Steering Wheel Turn Signal Lever Modification" as an accessory, priced at 2,499 yuan (about $349 at current exchange rates) starting in September. The stalks will be installed at Tesla Service Centers using special tools.

Too Much Declutterring

Tesla

When it launched in 2012, the Tesla Model S made a big impression in part thanks to a minimalist interior design that grouped most controls in the touchscreen. Unfortunately Tesla hasn't found any alternative to doubling down on that aesthetic to keep its aging lineup fresh, gradually removing additional controls.

The Model S and Model X lost their control stalks in a 2021 update that also brought an awkward steering yoke in place of a conventional wheel. Even then, some owners began retrofitting their cars using parts from the then-current Model 3. And when the Model 3 lost its stalks in the Highland update, owners started doing the same. A company called Enhance Auto sells them as aftermarket parts.

Even the updated Tesla Model Y Juniper kept its control stalks, and those parts—which appear slimmer than the ones used in the pre-facelift Model 3—will likely be the ones used in the Chinese-market refit. Tesla has reportedly said this refit will only be available for Model 3 Highlands built after February 7, 2025, but that it's working on compatibility for other cars. It's unclear if that will include cars sold in the United States, though.

Tough Times For Tesla

Tesla

Addressing customer complaints is important for any automaker, but particularly Tesla as it sees sales slide in the face of increased competition. The automaker has also struggled to bring out new products that are relevant to the current market, with Cybertruck proving to be a sales dud after strong initial hype, and the Model Y Juniper landing with little fanfare—even with several new variants catering to the Chinese market.

CEO Elon Musk's participant in the Trump Administration was likely damaging to the brand as well, and all Musk has to show for it are policies like a rollback of federal EV incentives, new tariffs, and lack of enforcement of emissions regulations that won't be good for the company. And while Musk has tried to style Tesla as more than just an automaker, side projects like a diner and the much-hyped Robotaxi service seem like poor substitutes for a more robust product line.

Tesla Model 3 gets its turn-signal stalks back—in China first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 19, 2025

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared.

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