Tesla Model 3 emergency door handles draw NHTSA probe

Federal regulators are reviewing complaints that emergency door releases in 2022 Model 3 sedans are hidden and hard to locate.

Federal scrutiny intensifies around Tesla door design

Tesla Model 3 emergency door handles are under renewed federal scrutiny. U.S. auto safety regulators have opened a probe into the emergency door releases on certain Model 3 vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it is evaluating claims that the mechanical release is hidden, unlabeled, and not intuitive during emergencies. These concerns surfaced through a formal petition submitted to the agency.

The petition came from Kevin Clouse, a Tesla owner in Georgia. He requested a defect investigation after a 2023 incident involving his Model 3. Regulators have not yet decided whether to grant or deny the petition.

This development places Tesla Model 3 emergency door handles squarely in the regulatory spotlight.

Scope of the probe and vehicles affected

The probe covers an estimated 179,071 Model 3 sedans from the 2022 model year. According to the agency, the review focuses specifically on the design and accessibility of the mechanical emergency release.

Both Tesla and the NHTSA did not immediately respond to requests for comment. As a result, the evaluation remains in its early stages.

Still, the scale of the probe signals that regulators view the issue as potentially significant. The Model 3 is among Tesla’s highest-volume vehicles in the U.S. market.

Prior investigations add pressure

This action expands federal examination of Tesla door systems. Earlier investigations examined door functionality following reports of people becoming trapped inside vehicles.

In September, regulators opened a separate investigation into certain Model Y SUVs. That review focused on reports involving children stuck in vehicles when the 12-volt battery failed.

The Model 3 and Model Y remain Tesla’s top-selling vehicles. Consequently, any safety concerns tied to door access carry broader implications.

Design choices and reported incidents

Tesla pioneered electrically powered door handles. However, these systems can stop functioning without warning, especially after crashes.

A recent analysis identified at least 15 deaths across a dozen incidents over the past decade. In these cases, occupants or rescuers could not open Tesla doors after crashes that led to fires.

Reports also indicate that potential safety concerns were raised internally during the Model 3’s development. Despite these warnings, the electric handle design moved forward, paired with manual releases intended to address power-loss scenarios.

A firsthand account drives regulatory review

Clouse described his 2023 incident in a complaint filed with regulators. He said he was unaware of the hidden mechanical emergency release.

According to his account, the release was not visibly labeled, not explained during delivery, and not intuitive in an emergency. He said he escaped by climbing to the back seat and breaking a rear window while the interior burned.

Such testimony forms the basis of the current probe into Tesla Model 3 emergency door handles.

Market reaction and next steps

Following news of the probe, Tesla shares fell 0.7% during midday trading in New York. The market response suggests investor sensitivity to regulatory and safety developments.

Regulators will now assess whether the petition warrants a formal defect investigation. That decision could shape future safety actions or design requirements.

Business and operational implications

For manufacturers, this probe underscores the importance of intuitive safety design. For regulators, it reflects growing attention to real-world usability during emergencies.

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Closing thought

As vehicles grow more technologically complex, how should regulators balance innovation with the need for immediate, intuitive safety access?

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