Archive · 25 Jul 2026
US Rejects Tesla Door Release Defect Probe
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has rejected a request to investigate a problem with the emergency door release in Tesla Model 3 cars.
The issue is that after a crash, if the car loses power, it might be hard to find the door release, which could trap people inside.
The NHTSA thinks this is better handled by making new rules rather than investigating the problem directly.
They also mentioned they have only one complaint about this issue.
Tesla has not commented yet.
Some people think the car company's door handles need stricter safety rules.
NHTSA denied a petition seeking a defect investigation into the emergency mechanical door release on Tesla Model 3 vehicles.
The petition covered about 180,000 Tesla Model 3 vehicles from the 2022 model year.
The issue involves the difficulty of locating the emergency mechanical door release after a crash if the vehicle loses power.
NHTSA believes the issue is better addressed through an ongoing rulemaking process rather than a defect investigation.
NHTSA has a single consumer complaint involving a 2022 Model 3 that alleged the mechanical door release was concealed and unlabeled after the vehicle lost electrical power in a front-impact crash.
- Who
- U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- What
- Denial of a petition seeking a defect investigation into the emergency mechanical door release on Tesla Model 3 vehicles
- When
- Not specified
- Where
- United States
- Why
- NHTSA believes the issue is better addressed through an ongoing rulemaking process rather than a defect investigation
Petitioners
NHTSA
Investigation Necessity
Petitioners
The petitioners believe an investigation is necessary due to the risk of occupants getting trapped in Tesla Model 3 vehicles after a crash if the vehicle loses power.
NHTSA
NHTSA believes the issue is better addressed through an ongoing rulemaking process rather than a defect investigation.
- Agency
- U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- Vehicles Affected
- Approximately 180,000 Tesla Model 3 vehicles (2022 model year)
- Issue
- Difficulty locating the emergency mechanical door release after a crash if the vehicle loses power
- Current Regulations
- Federal safety rules do not address the labeling or location of emergency mechanical door releases
- Consumer Complaints
- Single consumer complaint involving a 2022 Model 3