Tesla will sell you back the turn signal stalk it removed from the Model 3

Tesla will sell you back the turn signal stalk it removed from the Model 3—if you’re willing to pay. The EV maker has started offering a retrofit kit for the refreshed Model 3, but for now, it’s only available in China for about $348.

The listing on Tesla’s online shop describes the accessory as a way to “modify your Model 3 by replacing the turn signal buttons on your steering wheel with turn signal stalks.” In other words, Tesla is now selling back the very control it deliberately removed.

Why Tesla removed the stalks in the first place

When Tesla launched the “Highland” Model 3 refresh in China in 2023, and globally in 2024, it made headlines for what it left out. The automaker removed the traditional turn signal and drive stalks, instead shifting those functions to steering wheel buttons and the central touchscreen. Tesla’s reasoning seemed rooted in its push for minimalism and reliance on automation.

But not all drivers welcomed the change. Many argued that stalks provided muscle memory and safer access, especially in high-stress driving situations. Buttons on the wheel and touchscreens, by contrast, required more conscious effort and sometimes distracted from the road.

The retrofit option—and the cost

Now, Tesla will sell you back the turn signal stalk it removed from the Model 3, but the offer comes at a premium. Priced at ¥2,499 (around $348), the retrofit isn’t cheap for something that was once standard. Currently, availability is limited to China, and Tesla hasn’t confirmed if it plans to roll out the option in other markets.

For long-time Tesla fans, the move feels ironic. It echoes the company’s pattern of stripping out features, only to reintroduce them later for a price—whether it’s software unlocks, premium connectivity, or hardware changes like this.

What this means for Tesla drivers

The retrofit signals that Tesla is paying attention to customer feedback, even if it comes with an added cost. Drivers who disliked the button-based controls now have an official way to restore a familiar, more intuitive feature.

Still, the decision raises bigger questions. Is Tesla doubling down on its design philosophy, or simply monetizing customer frustrations? For now, one thing’s clear: if you want the stalks back on your Model 3, you’ll have to pay Tesla to put them there.