Urgent: Tesla Under Investigation for Faulty Door Handles

BREAKING: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an urgent investigation into Tesla Inc. after reports that faulty door handles on certain vehicles may have trapped children inside. The preliminary evaluation, announced on September 10, 2023, targets approximately 174,290 Model Y SUVs due to issues with their electrically powered door handles linked to low-voltage battery problems.

The investigation comes in the wake of alarming incidents where parents reported being unable to reopen doors to access children in the back seat. The NHTSA has received over 140 complaints since 2018 regarding door malfunctions across various Tesla models, heightening concerns about passenger safety.

“NHTSA’s investigation is focused on the operability of the electronic door locks from outside of the vehicle as that circumstance is the only one in which there is no manual way to open the door,” the agency stated in a document on its website. This is particularly troubling as Tesla vehicles feature manual releases inside the car that may be inaccessible to young children or those with disabilities during emergencies.

The probe was sparked by multiple reports from vehicle owners, with nine specifically citing the inability to open doors on their 2021 Model Y SUVs. In many cases, parents were left in distress, unable to reach their trapped children when the doors failed to respond. Some desperate individuals resorted to breaking windows to regain access, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution.

The investigation coincides with a Bloomberg News report revealing a series of injuries and fatalities linked to the inability to open Tesla doors during power failures, particularly following crashes. As of now, the NHTSA is monitoring all reports of entrapment and has committed to taking necessary actions as findings develop.

Tesla Chair Robyn Denholm has acknowledged the seriousness of safety incidents but did not directly comment on the Bloomberg investigation when interviewed last week. Tesla has yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the NHTSA’s current probe.

Globally, concerns over electrically powered door handles are intensifying. In China, regulators are contemplating a ban on fully concealed door handles, and Europe has started implementing new measures to enhance post-crash rescue protocols. This growing scrutiny reflects an increased awareness of safety issues that can affect not only children but also elderly passengers and those with disabilities.

The NHTSA’s action adds to a list of ongoing inquiries into Tesla’s safety systems, including investigations into its Full Self-Driving system and the effectiveness of a recent software update aimed at improving the Autopilot driver-assistance feature.

As this situation unfolds, the urgent implications for Tesla’s reputation and customer safety are significant. Watch for updates on this developing story as further information becomes available.