Tesla's electric door lock defect triggers regulatory scrutiny, with entrapment risks becoming the focus

The U.S. automotive safety regulator is investigating Tesla's electric door locks due to potential defects that could trap passengers.

On Tuesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) disclosed that it is assessing the issue of electric doors on the 2021 Tesla Model Y that may not open properly.

The agency stated in a document published on its website that although the number of vehicles currently involved in the investigation is limited (approximately 174,000), it is evaluating the scope and severity of the issue and hinted that the investigation may expand.

Since 2018, the NHTSA has received over 140 consumer complaints related to Tesla vehicles' doors getting stuck, failing to open, or other malfunctions. The agency is particularly concerned about issues caused by insufficient power from low-voltage batteries leading to door failures.

In multiple cases, parents have reported to regulators that they were unable to reopen Tesla doors to retrieve children in the back seat. The NHTSA stated:

It is especially concerning when vehicles trap individuals in emergencies, such as children being trapped in hot vehicles.

Scope and Focus of the Investigation

The U.S. regulator's investigation will assess the methods Tesla uses to power the door locks and the reliability of their power sources.

According to Tesla's user manual, every model sold in the U.S. market is equipped with electric doors.

Currently, the agency indicates that the focus of the investigation is on the possibility of operating the electric door locks from outside the vehicle, as there is no manual way to open Tesla doors from the outside in the event of a power failure.

In some cases, owners have reported to the NHTSA that they had to smash windows to re-enter their vehicles.

While Tesla vehicles are equipped with manual release mechanisms inside, regulators point out:

Even if vehicle drivers are aware of their existence, children may not be able to find or operate these release mechanisms.

Michael Brooks, executive director of the Washington Center for Automotive Safety, has called for regulators to establish rules ensuring that manual release mechanisms are located in standardized, easily identifiable positions. He noted:

Simply indicating the manual unlock location in the user manual is insufficient to inform passengers, as they have no opportunity to read the manual during a fire or other emergency.

Industry Trends and Global Regulatory Movements

In addition to the 2021 Model Y, owners of other Tesla models have also complained to U.S. regulators about similar issues with doors not functioning after low-voltage battery failures.

Media reports indicate that the related complaints involve the 2012 Model S, 2023 Model 3, as well as the 2020, 2022, and 2023 Model Y.

Although Tesla is a pioneer of hidden electric door handles, many automakers have since adopted similar designs. Therefore, door issues are increasingly drawing the attention of automotive safety advocates and have caught the notice of global regulators.

Critics argue that hidden door handles may complicate rescue efforts and shift responsibility onto passengers who are unfamiliar with the manual unlocking mechanisms In addition, existing crash tests are designed to measure the survivability of occupants during a collision, rather than their ability to quickly exit the vehicle afterward. The escape issue can be particularly challenging for individuals with disabilities, pets, young children, or elderly passengers.

This investigation adds to the regulatory pressure already faced by Tesla, which is currently under additional scrutiny from U.S. regulators due to its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system and Autopilot driver assistance system