The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a defect investigation into the emergency door release mechanisms of the Tesla Model 3.This probe affects an estimated 179,071 vehicles from the 2022 model year, following concerns that the emergency door release controls may not be easily accessible or clearly identifiable during emergencies.
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claimsjournal.comfortune.comThe investigation was prompted by a defect petition filed by Kevin Clouse, a Tesla owner from Georgia, who reported being trapped in his Model 3 during a fire in 2023.Clouse claimed that the mechanical door release was "hidden, unlabeled, and not intuitive to locate during an emergency," forcing him to escape through a rear window while the vehicle was engulfed in flames.
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fortune.comcbsnews.comTesla's vehicles primarily utilize electronic door latches that open via buttons, rather than traditional mechanical handles.While the company does include a manual door release for emergencies, experts have raised concerns that these releases are not consistently visible or intuitive, particularly for rear-seat passengers.
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claimsjournal.commoney.usnews.comThe NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) noted that the mechanical door release's design could pose significant risks in emergency situations, as occupants or first responders may struggle to locate it when time is critical.
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electrek.coThis investigation is not the first time Tesla's door mechanisms have come under scrutiny.In September, the NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation into approximately 174,290 Model Y vehicles due to reports of electronic door handles becoming inoperative, which could also hinder emergency egress.
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claimsjournal.commoney.usnews.comFurthermore, there have been multiple incidents reported where individuals were trapped in burning Teslas, leading to fatalities, as rescuers were unable to open the doors due to design flaws in the door handle systems.
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fortune.comcbsnews.comThe NHTSA's current investigation is in the "Defect Petition" phase, where the agency will assess the claims and determine whether to grant or deny the petition.The outcome could lead to further regulatory actions if safety-related defects are confirmed.The agency has previously noted that the opening of a defect petition does not automatically result in a recall, but it is a critical step in the regulatory review process.
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money.usnews.comelectrek.coTesla has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the investigation.The company's innovative approach to vehicle design, which includes features like electronic door handles, has been both praised for its aesthetics and criticized for potential safety issues.A Bloomberg analysis highlighted that there have been at least 15 deaths over the past decade linked to incidents where occupants or rescuers were unable to open the doors of a Tesla following a crash and fire.
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fortune.comcbsnews.comAs the NHTSA continues its investigation, the implications for Tesla could be significant, especially if the findings confirm that the design of the emergency door release mechanisms poses a safety risk.The outcome may lead to recommendations for redesigning the door release systems to ensure they are more intuitive and accessible in emergencies, potentially involving retrofitting existing vehicles with clearer labeling or more obvious physical levers.
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electrek.coIn conclusion, the ongoing investigation into the Tesla Model 3's emergency door release mechanisms underscores the critical importance of vehicle safety features that are easily identifiable and accessible during emergencies.As the NHTSA evaluates the situation, the automotive industry will be watching closely to see how Tesla responds to these safety concerns and what regulatory actions may follow.
