U.S. federal safety regulators have launched a new investigation into Tesla Inc., focusing on the emergency door release mechanisms in certain Model 3 sedans. The probe by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) adds to growing scrutiny over the automaker's pioneering but controversial electrically powered door handles.
Probe Centers on "Hidden" Emergency Release
The NHTSA announced it is evaluating claims that the mechanical door release in the affected vehicles "is hidden, unlabelled, and not intuitive to locate during an emergency." The investigation, detailed in a filing on the agency's website, covers an estimated 179,071 Model 3 sedans from the 2022 model year.
The move stems from a formal petition filed by Kevin Clouse, a Tesla owner from Georgia. Clouse alleges he was trapped inside his burning Model 3 in 2023 when the doors failed to open, forcing him to kick his way out through a rear window. "I was unaware of the location of the hidden mechanical emergency door release because it is not visibly labelled, not explained upon delivery, and not intuitive in an emergency," Clouse stated in his complaint.
A History of Incidents and Fatalities
This investigation expands a federal examination of Tesla door safety issues. It follows a months-long investigation by Bloomberg News, which uncovered a series of troubling incidents. A recent Bloomberg analysis found at least 15 deaths in a dozen incidents over the past decade where occupants or emergency responders could not open the doors of a Tesla vehicle after a crash and fire.
The core issue involves Tesla's signature flush, electrically powered door handles. While innovative, these handles can fail without warning, especially after a collision when power systems may be compromised. The NHTSA had already opened a separate investigation in September into similar potential defects in Tesla Model Y SUVs, following reports of children being trapped when the vehicle's 12-volt battery died.
Internal Warnings and Design Choices
Further reporting indicates that potential safety concerns with the electric handles were raised internally with Tesla CEO Elon Musk during the development phase of the Model 3. Despite these warnings, Musk reportedly insisted on the futuristic design, which included manual releases intended as a backup for power-loss scenarios.
The Model 3 and Model Y are Tesla's top-selling vehicles globally, making the scope and implications of the safety probe significant for the company and its customers.
Market Reaction and Ongoing Scrutiny
News of the probe impacted Tesla's stock, with shares falling 0.7 per cent in midday trading in New York on the day the investigation was announced. As of the report, neither Tesla nor the NHTSA had immediately responded to requests for comment on the newly opened probe.
The NHTSA has not yet decided whether to grant or deny Clouse's petition for a formal defect investigation, but the opening of this preliminary evaluation is a critical first step. The agency's findings will determine if a forced recall or other corrective action is necessary to address what petitioners describe as a critical flaw in emergency egress for one of the world's most popular electric vehicles.
