Tesla Model 3 Sedans Under Federal Safety Probe Over Hidden Emergency Releases
Tesla Inc.’s door handles are facing renewed scrutiny after federal auto safety regulators opened a probe into the emergency releases in certain Model 3 vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is evaluating claims that the mechanical door release is hidden, unlabeled, and not intuitive to locate during an emergency. This move stems from a petition filed by Kevin Clouse, a Tesla owner in Georgia, who says he was trapped in his vehicle in 2023 and requested a defect investigation.
The probe covers an estimated 179,071 Model 3 sedans from the 2022 model year. Tesla and NHTSA did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The move expands on the federal examination of Tesla door problems following a month-long investigation into the issue by Bloomberg that uncovered a series of incidents in which people were severely injured or died after becoming trapped in their Teslas. In September, NHTSA opened an investigation into whether the doors are defective in certain Model Y SUVs amid reports of children stuck in vehicles when the 12-volt battery dies.
Background and Context
The automaker was a pioneer of electrically powered handles, which can stop functioning without warning, particularly after a crash. A Bloomberg analysis found at least 15 deaths in a dozen incidents over the last decade in which occupants or rescuers were unable to open the doors of a Tesla that had crashed and caught fire. Potential safety issues with electric handles were raised with Chief Executive Elon Musk during the development of the Model 3, and he insisted on the futuristic design, which would include manual releases to mitigate power-loss problems.
Clouse filed a petition last month over a 2023 incident in which he says he had to kick his way out of his burning Model 3 when the doors wouldn’t open. He stated, “I was unaware of the location of the hidden mechanical emergency door release because it is not visibly labeled, not explained upon delivery, and not intuitive in an emergency. I was forced to climb to the back seat and break the rear passenger window with my legs to escape while the interior was burning.” The incident highlights the need for clear labeling and intuitive design of emergency releases in vehicles.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The NHTSA’s investigation into the Tesla Model 3 sedans is an important step in ensuring the safety of vehicle occupants. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, it is crucial that manufacturers prioritize safety and design features that are intuitive and easy to use, even in emergency situations. For more information on this topic, please visit Here.
Image Source: www.latimes.com
