Tesla inquiry grows over door handle issue

Tesla Inquiry Grows Over Door Handle Issue

Federal regulators ordered Tesla to comply with an investigation into possibly defective door handles that reportedly led to trapped passengers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received scores of complaints on Tesla's electric vehicles.
On Nov. 27, the NHTSA reported 16 cases of exterior, retractable door handles becoming "inoperative due to low 12VDC battery voltage" in certain 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles.
Reports indicated children were trapped in the cars in some cases, and owners were unable to enter or exit vehicles due to battery issues that impeded door handle use.
A deadly 2024 crash in Wisconsin led to a lawsuit claiming Tesla was negligent in its door handle designs.

No comment from Tesla or Elon Musk was reported.

Author's summary: Tesla faces investigation over defective door handles.

UPI — 2025-11-04