Federal auto safety regulators have initiated a preliminary investigation into potential defects in the doors of 2021 Tesla Model Ys. The probe, launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), focuses on reports that electronic door handles may fail to operate, leading to situations where children are left trapped in the back seat. In some cases, parents reported needing to break windows to free their children due to the malfunctioning door mechanisms.
NHTSA received nine reports linking the door failures to low battery voltage. Although Tesla has incorporated manual door releases for emergency situations, the NHTSA expressed concern that children may struggle to access or operate these releases effectively. This issue has been underscored by multiple incidents, including cases where occupants were trapped in vehicles during emergencies, adding to the scrutiny of Tesla’s door design.
Among the alarming incidents was a report from a college basketball recruit, Alijah Arenas, who had a harrowing experience when his Tesla Cybertruck caught fire after crashing into a tree. He reported that he fought against time to escape as smoke filled the vehicle, ultimately surviving by using a water bottle to keep himself from suffocating. In another instance, relatives of a driver who died in a Model 3 fire have filed a lawsuit against Tesla, alleging negligence and fraud for not addressing an alleged design flaw that left the driver trapped.
The current investigation, which covers around 174,300 Model Ys, aims to evaluate the seriousness of the reported incidents and the risks associated with the malfunctioning door locks. According to NHTSA, the issues arise when the electronic locks experience insufficient voltage. Investigative reports indicate that batteries were frequently replaced after such incidents occurred, and no warnings for low battery voltage were indicated before the door handles became inoperative.
While the investigation primarily examines the functionality of electronic locks from outside the vehicle, NHTSA is also monitoring reports involving passengers being trapped inside, which it categorizes as “entrapment.” The agency plans to assess Tesla’s approach to powering door locks as well as the reliability of the power supply systems in their vehicles.
Tesla is currently facing additional scrutiny from NHTSA regarding its “summon” technology, designed to autonomously bring the vehicle to the driver. This feature has been linked to minor collisions in parking lots. Furthermore, an ongoing investigation targeting driver-assistance systems in 2.4 million Teslas was initiated last year following several serious accidents, including a tragic incident resulting in a pedestrian fatality.
Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, is under pressure to validate the effectiveness and safety of the company’s latest advancements in driver-assistance technologies. He recently pledged to deploy hundreds of thousands of self-driving Tesla vehicles on the road by the end of next year.
This urgency comes amid a significant decline in Tesla sales, which began earlier this year. Musk’s controversial support for politicians like former President Donald Trump has led to friction with Tesla’s traditional environmentally conscious customer base. In a recent event, Musk sparked backlash for inflammatory comments made at an anti-immigration rally in London.
On a brighter note for Tesla, stock prices rose over 2% during trading on Tuesday, climbing to $419.25. This uptick followed reports that Musk had purchased $1 billion worth of shares.
