Investigation initiated following allegations by parents claiming faulty door handles led to their children being trapped in Tesla vehicles
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating potential door defects in around 174,300 Tesla Model Ys. The probe focuses on low battery voltage causing door lock malfunctions, which in some cases have trapped children inside, requiring parents to break windows for access. The investigation follows nine reports of electronic door handles not working in Model Ys, possibly due to insufficient voltage from the vehicle. None of the people who reported incidents saw a low voltage battery warning before the exterior door handles became inoperative. Repair invoices indicate that batteries were replaced after incidents of door lock failure.
In recent years, there have been reported incidents of problems with opening Tesla doors, trapping drivers in burning vehicles after accidents and a loss of power. This is not the first time Tesla has faced scrutiny over its door functionality. Last year, relatives of a Tesla Model 3 driver who was trapped and burned beyond recognition sued Tesla for negligence and fraud for failing to fix what they called a design flaw in the doors. The case is pending in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Tesla has installed manual door releases inside the vehicles, but NHTSA notes that a child may not be able to reach or operate these releases. The company has promised to put hundreds of thousands of self-driving Tesla cars and Tesla robotaxis on roads by the end of the next year.
The investigation is a preliminary step before a potential vehicle recall. NHTSA will continue to monitor reports of people being trapped inside Tesla vehicles (entrapment) and take further action as needed.
Meanwhile, Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, continue to be in the spotlight for other reasons. Musk has angered the traditional environmentally conscious Tesla customer base by supporting U.S. President Donald Trump and far-right politicians in Europe and their policies. Additionally, an investigation was launched by NHTSA in August looking into why Tesla has not been reporting crashes promptly to the agency as required. However, news that Musk had bought $1 billion worth of shares in Tesla caused the company's stock to rise more than 2%.
In a separate incident, a college basketball recruit, Alijah Arenas, was trapped in a burning Tesla Cybertruck and had to douse himself with a water bottle to stay alive. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of Tesla's vehicles, particularly in emergency situations.
As the investigation into the door defects in Tesla Model Ys continues, consumers and regulators will be watching closely to ensure that any issues are addressed promptly and effectively to protect the safety of Tesla's drivers and passengers.
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