Tesla's electronic door handle system has come under federal scrutiny after multiple incidents where children became trapped inside vehicles, forcing parents to break windows for rescue. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a preliminary investigation that could affect nearly 175,000 vehicles and highlights ongoing safety concerns with the electric vehicle manufacturer's door designs.
Federal Investigation Targets 2021 Model Y Vehicles
The NHTSA opened its investigation after receiving nine reports of electronic door handle failures in 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles. The incidents appear linked to low battery voltage issues that render the exterior electronic handles inoperable. In four documented cases, parents had no choice but to break car windows to reach their trapped children. The investigation covers approximately 174,300 midsize SUVs, making it one of the more significant safety probes involving Tesla's most popular model.
Investigation Scope
- Vehicles affected: Approximately 174,300 Tesla Model Y (2021 model year)
- Reports received: 9 incidents of electronic door handle failure
- Window-breaking incidents: 4 cases where parents broke windows to rescue children
- Investigating agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Manual Release Systems Prove Inadequate for Emergency Situations
While Tesla has installed manual door releases inside its vehicles, federal regulators noted a critical flaw in the design. Children may not be able to reach these manual releases or understand how to operate them during emergencies. The NHTSA's investigation focuses specifically on exterior door operability, as this represents the only scenario where no manual backup exists. However, the agency indicated it will continue monitoring reports of interior entrapment and may expand the investigation if necessary.
Pattern of Door-Related Safety Incidents Emerges
This investigation represents the latest in a series of door-related safety concerns involving Tesla vehicles. Recent incidents include a college basketball recruit who struggled to escape his burning Cybertruck after a crash, requiring him to douse himself with water while smoke filled the cabin. Last year, relatives of a Tesla Model 3 driver who died after becoming trapped in his burning vehicle filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging negligence and fraud for failing to address what they termed a design flaw despite approximately 200 reported fires involving Tesla cars.
China Door Handle Safety Data
- Accident increase: 47% rise in door handle-related accidents
- Design factor: 82% of accidents involved fully retractable door handle designs
- Regulatory response: China considering ban on flush door handles
- Monitoring agency: National Accident In-depth Investigation System (NAIS)
Tesla Announces Door Handle Redesign Plans
In response to mounting safety concerns, Tesla's Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen announced plans to redesign the company's door handle system. Speaking on Bloomberg's Hot Pursuit podcast, von Holzhausen revealed that the new design will focus on making handles more intuitive during emergency situations. The redesign aims to combine electronic and manual door-release mechanisms into a single button, addressing the current system where these mechanisms are separate and located in different areas of each vehicle model.
Technical Analysis Reveals Power Supply Issues
NHTSA investigators found that the door handle failures occur when electronic locks receive insufficient voltage from the vehicle's electrical system. Repair invoices from affected vehicles indicate that battery replacements were necessary after incidents occurred. Notably, none of the affected drivers received low voltage battery warnings before their exterior door handles became inoperative, suggesting a gap in the vehicle's diagnostic systems.
Tesla Safety Investigations Summary
| Investigation Type | Focus Area | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Door Handles | 2021 Model Y exterior door operability | Active (2025) |
| Summon Technology | Parking lot accidents | Active |
| Driver Assistance | 2.4 million vehicles, low-visibility crashes | Active (since 2024) |
| Crash Reporting | Failure to report crashes promptly | Active (since August 2024) |
Broader Safety Investigations Continue
The door handle investigation adds to Tesla's growing list of federal safety probes. The company faces separate investigations into its summon technology that has reportedly caused parking lot accidents, driver-assistance features involved in crashes during low-visibility conditions, and the company's alleged failure to promptly report crashes to regulators as required. These investigations come as Tesla CEO Elon Musk promises to deploy hundreds of thousands of self-driving vehicles and robotaxis by the end of next year, despite ongoing safety concerns and declining sales that began earlier this year.