Tesla Faces Federal Safety Investigation Into Model Y Door Handles

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Tesla Model Y SUVs after multiple reports of malfunctioning door handles.

The agency confirmed it had received nine complaints from owners who said the electronic door mechanisms became inoperable, in some cases leaving parents unable to access rear seats to retrieve their children. Four owners said they had to break a window to get back inside their vehicles.

Reports of inoperable handles raise safety concerns

According to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), the failures often occur after drivers exit the vehicle and attempt to open rear doors, according to TechCrunch. Preliminary findings suggest the issue may stem from insufficient voltage reaching the electronic door locks, though no owners reported low-battery warnings before the incidents.

All of Tesla’s vehicles include manual door releases inside the cabin, but the ODI noted that these are difficult for children to reach and not all drivers are aware of their location. This was especially the case in the second row, where the manual release could be quite hidden.

Probe follows earlier incidents of occupants stuck inside

The new probe comes just days after reports of Tesla owners reportedly becoming trapped inside their cars following accidents, raising questions about safety and redundancy in Tesla’s vehicle design.

Tesla manuals explain that owners can restore power to door locks using an external power source, but the process involves several steps. As of now, Tesla has not commented on the investigation. The ODI review remains preliminary, with no recall or corrective action announced.

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