Karmactive Team
Tesla has listed a turn signal stalk retrofit for Model 3 vehicles in China, priced at ¥2,499 (approximately $350). According to the official Tesla China product listing, the retrofit will be available from mid-September for vehicles built after February 7, 2025, with support for earlier builds coming later.
This move marks a retreat from Tesla’s stalkless, button-based design approach that removed traditional stalks from the refreshed Model 3. The decision to bring back the physical control comes after Tesla VP of Engineering Lars Moravy acknowledged in a February 2025 interview with Jay Leno: “We always say at Tesla, if you aren’t deleting so much that you have to put something back, you haven’t deleted enough. Well, maybe we deleted too much.”
Tesla’s initial removal of the turn signal stalk as part of the Model 3 Highland refresh triggered significant customer pushback. Many drivers found the button-based controls on the steering wheel less intuitive and potentially distracting, especially in complex driving situations.
European Tesla owners have been particularly vocal about difficulties with the stalkless design when navigating roundabouts, which require quick, precise signaling while turning. In roundabouts, the steering wheel rotation causes the button positions to shift, making it challenging to locate and press the correct button while completing the maneuver.
The company’s retreat from extreme minimalism isn’t unprecedented. Tesla previously reversed course on the yoke-only steering approach, eventually offering a round wheel option again after user feedback.
The retrofit requires installation at Tesla service centers and involves replacing the entire steering wheel assembly. According to the Tesla China product page, Tesla will reclaim the old steering wheel as part of the process to be recycled.
The new stalk appears dedicated to turn signaling, though Tesla’s product description doesn’t specify whether it includes additional functions like wiper controls or high beams that appeared on earlier Tesla stalks.
While Tesla frequently tests or launches hardware changes in China before rolling them out globally, there’s no official confirmation about US availability yet. The company has already reintroduced the stalk in other models, including the Model Y Juniper, suggesting a broader design shift.
However, Tesla sometimes keeps regional-specific configurations limited to certain markets. The Model Y variants unique to China demonstrate that not all options make it to global markets.
For US owners wanting a physical stalk immediately, aftermarket solutions exist. Third-party stalk kits have emerged as temporary workarounds, with options priced between approximately $340-$400, indicating strong demand for the feature.
Tesla Model 3 owners interested in the retrofit should check their vehicle’s build date through their Tesla account or app. For now, only Chinese market vehicles built after February 7, 2025, are confirmed eligible for the mid-September retrofit.
US and European owners should monitor Tesla’s regional online shops and service bulletins for any announcements about expanded availability.
Tesla’s decision to reintroduce the turn signal stalk reflects the company’s evolving approach to balancing minimalist design with user experience and safety considerations. The retrofit option gives drivers who prefer traditional controls a factory-backed solution while maintaining Tesla’s forward-looking aesthetic.
As of August 25, 2025, Tesla has not announced plans to bring the turn signal stalk retrofit to markets outside China, but the company’s history suggests that successful regional offerings often expand globally.
