Tesla has launched a turn signal stalk retrofit for the Model 3 in China, giving owners the option to replace the steering wheel buttons introduced in the refreshed version of the sedan.
When Tesla first unveiled the refreshed Model 3 in 2023, one of the most notable changes was the decision to remove the traditional turn signal stalk in favour of steering wheel-mounted touch controls. While Tesla had already done with the Model S and Model X, those are two of Tesla’s low-volume premium vehicles, while the Model 3 was one of the mass-market cars, making it a bold strategy.
Tesla argued the redesign created a more streamlined interior, many drivers criticized the change as unintuitive and even unsafe in real-world driving. The company heard that feedback, and when they introduced the refreshed Model Y earlier this year, they chose to retain the stalk.
Now, Tesla is offering a retrofit for the refreshed Model 3, giving owners unhappy with the turn signal buttons on the steering wheel an option to upgrade.
According to the Tesla Shop listing in China, the new retrofit will become available in mid-September for stalkless Model 3 vehicles manufactured after February 7, 2025. The company says support for earlier vehicles will follow at a later date. The retrofit is not a simple accessory purchase—it requires professional installation at a Tesla Service Center, where the steering wheel and related components are replaced.
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The retrofit is priced at $¥2,499 (C$480/$350 USD), which includes both the parts and labour. Customers must give up their original steering wheel components, and once the retrofit is completed, the order is non-refundable.
As with other Tesla features and products that debut in China, it is widely expected that the retrofit option will eventually make its way to North America. Tesla has consistently followed this rollout pattern, introducing products in China first before expanding availability to Canada and the U.S.
