Tesla Discreetly Reintroduces Turn Signal Stalks to Model 3 Following Years of Feedback | Carscoops

      In response to customer feedback, Tesla has reintroduced the turn signal stalk for the Model 3 Highland in China and is offering it as an accessory for current owners.

      Tesla is reinstating the turn signal stalk for all Model 3 Highland variants in China. Existing customers can add it through Tesla Service Centers. This upgrade might also be rolled out to other international markets soon.

      The refreshed Tesla Model 3 Highland debuted in August 2023, featuring a variety of enhancements, but also some contentious changes.

      One of the most discussed modifications was the removal of the gear selector stalk and the switch to steering wheel buttons for turn signals, a design similar to that of the Model S and Model X. After almost two years of customer input, Tesla has decided to reinstate the stalk, at least for the Chinese audience.

      The official configurator in China now lists the turn signal stalk as standard equipment for all Model 3 trims. For those existing owners who preferred the traditional stalk over the steering wheel buttons, Tesla is creating a factory-supported option beyond third-party solutions.

      Starting in mid-September, Tesla will offer an accessory named the “Model 3 Steering Wheel Turn Signal Lever Modification” through its online store and app in China. This upgrade, priced at ¥2,499 ($349), requires installation at a Tesla Service Center, where trained technicians will use specialized tools to fit the stalk.

      Predictably, the design of the stalk is very similar to that found in the Model Y Juniper, which features a sleeker and more contemporary look compared to the pre-facelift Model 3 version. The upgrade also includes a new steering wheel without the turn signal buttons, as Tesla offsets costs by recycling components returned from customers.

      Currently, the accessory will only be compatible with Model 3 Highland vehicles produced after February 7, 2025. Tesla has confirmed plans to eventually broaden compatibility across all Highland units. Given the Model 3’s status as a global best-seller, it is likely that similar options will be available in Europe and North America in the future.

      At this time, it is unclear whether Tesla will retrofit the Cybertruck, Model S, and Model X with turn signal stalks. For now, the company seems to be concentrating on vehicles with the highest sales volume, where customer opinions have been most pronounced.

      In the absence of a factory option for the past two years, third-party companies have stepped in to provide alternatives. For instance, Enhance Auto introduced its own retrofit called S3XY Stalks, which has become popular among customers seeking a more conventional control setup.