tesla model — The Tesla Model 3 is now the subject of a safety probe initiated by US regulators, who are examining the accessibility of emergency door release controls. This investigation affects approximately 179,071 Model 3 vehicles from the 2022 model year.
On December 23, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) launched the inquiry following a defect petition that raised concerns about the mechanical door release mechanism. The petition alleges that the controls are not only hidden but also unlabeled, making them difficult to locate in an emergency situation.
Currently, Tesla vehicles primarily utilise electronic door latches which operate via buttons, deviating from the traditional mechanical handles found in most cars. While there is a manual door release designed for emergencies, experts have pointed out that this feature is not consistently visible or intuitive, particularly for those seated in the rear.
Compounding these concerns, Tesla recently faced legal action related to tragic incidents involving its vehicles. Last month, a lawsuit was filed following a fatal crash in Wisconsin, where five occupants of a Model S died. Reports suggest they were unable to escape the vehicle due to a design flaw that hindered access to the doors.
In another incident, families of two college students killed in a Cybertruck crash last November are also suing Tesla, claiming that the design of the door handles prevented the victims from escaping the burning vehicle.
The initiation of a defect petition is merely the first step in a regulatory review process. It does not automatically lead to a recall; however, it signals that if safety-related defects are confirmed, further action may be taken. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) previously opened a preliminary evaluation in September for around 174,290 Model Y vehicles due to similar complaints regarding electronic door handles becoming inoperative.
The ongoing scrutiny of Tesla’s door release mechanisms highlights the broader conversation around vehicle safety and the importance of intuitive design, especially in emergency situations. As the investigation unfolds, both regulators and consumers will be watching closely to see how Tesla responds to these critical safety concerns.
