Tesla has reversed course on one of its most criticized design decisions. The company is bringing back turn signal stalks to the Model 3 in China after removing them in September 2023. The change affects all Model 3 versions sold in China, from the basic rear-wheel drive model to the high-performance all-wheel drive variant.
The stalk removal was part of Tesla‘s Model 3 Highland redesign. The company replaced traditional stalks with buttons on the steering wheel. It also moved the gear selector from a stalk to the touchscreen. Tesla pushed these changes as part of its minimalist interior design approach.
Drivers didn’t like the new system. They found the steering wheel buttons awkward and hard to use. Roundabouts became especially tricky to steer through. When drivers turned the wheel hand-over-hand, they couldn’t easily reach the turn signal buttons. The buttons sat on the left side of the steering wheel, making them impractical in many driving situations.
Tesla hasn’t made an official announcement about the change. The stalks simply appeared on the company’s Chinese website. Shanghai’s factory now produces all Model 3 vehicles with the reinstalled turn signal stalks. The gear selector will stay on the touchscreen, though. Tesla isn’t bringing back that stalk.
Current owners of stalk-less Model 3s can get the turn signals retrofitted. The service will be available at Tesla service centers starting in mid-September 2025. But there’s a catch. Only cars built after February 7, 2025, can get the retrofit right away. Owners of earlier Highland models will have to wait longer. Tesla hasn’t said when they’ll get their chance.
The retrofit isn’t free. It costs 2,499 yuan in China. That’s about $350 in US dollars or $535 in Australian dollars. This price only covers the turn signal stalk installation. Early Highland buyers will have to pay extra to fix what many see as a design mistake. While some owners appreciate Tesla’s software updates that enhance vehicle performance remotely, the physical design changes have proven more challenging to accept.
For now, this change only applies to China. Tesla hasn’t announced plans to bring back stalks in other markets. Australian Model 3s come from the Shanghai plant, raising hopes the stalks could arrive there soon. The move comes as Tesla faces increasing competition in China’s electric vehicle market, with Model 3 sales dropping 40.79% month-over-month in July. The two-year experiment with button controls appears to be ending, at least partially.