Tesla Probed Over Door Handles That Trap Occupants
▼ Summary
– Tesla is under investigation by the NHTSA for faulty electronic door handles that can trap people inside vehicles, particularly children.
– The probe was prompted by nine instances of children being trapped due to low-voltage battery problems, preventing door operation from outside.
– The investigation initially focuses on an estimated 174,290 Model Y SUVs but may widen to assess power supply reliability and door lock mechanisms.
– Tesla’s electronic door handles, designed to be flush for aerodynamics, have faced safety concerns, with China considering banning such handles.
– This is part of broader scrutiny on Tesla, including investigations into delayed crash reporting for autonomous driving and issues with remote parking features.
Federal safety regulators have initiated a formal investigation into Tesla’s electronic door handles following multiple reports of occupants, particularly children, becoming trapped inside vehicles due to system failures. The probe centers on concerns that these sleek, flush-mounted components, designed to enhance aerodynamics, can malfunction during low-voltage battery situations, leaving passengers without a reliable means of exit.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened the inquiry after receiving numerous complaints from Tesla owners. In several documented cases, parents were unable to reopen doors to retrieve children from the backseat. Although Tesla vehicles include manual door releases as a backup, the agency expressed concern that younger passengers may not be able to locate or operate them, especially during high-stress or emergency scenarios.
This investigation initially covers an estimated 174,290 Model Y SUVs, though officials indicated the scope could expand. The NHTSA will evaluate how Tesla supplies power to its door lock mechanisms and the overall reliability of those systems. A primary focus involves circumstances where external door operation fails completely, as that is the only situation where no manual override exists from the outside.
Regulators highlighted that vehicle entrapment carries significant risks, particularly when children are left inside hot cars. The agency cited nine specific incidents where low-voltage battery problems led to children being locked inside Tesla vehicles.
This marks the latest in a series of federal examinations targeting the electric vehicle manufacturer. Tesla is also under scrutiny for allegedly failing to promptly report crashes involving its driver-assistance systems, and for issues related to its smart summon and remote parking features following multiple collision reports.
The move by U.S. safety authorities follows similar concerns raised internationally. China’s government is reportedly considering a ban on electronic door handles altogether, citing potential safety hazards in emergency situations.
(Source: The Verge)
