Investigation Overview

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a defect investigation into Tesla’s electronic door‑handle system. The agency’s inquiry targets a specific group of Model Y SUVs, estimated at 174,290 units, and seeks to determine whether the power‑supply design for the door locks is reliable under low‑voltage conditions.

Triggering Incidents

The investigation was sparked by nine reported cases in which children became trapped inside a Tesla vehicle because the electronic door handles failed to operate. In each instance, parents were unable to reopen the doors from the outside, and the children could not operate the manual release mechanisms provided by the manufacturer.

Safety Concerns

NHTSA emphasizes that vehicle entrapment is particularly hazardous in emergency situations, such as when a child is locked inside a hot vehicle. The agency notes that while Tesla’s vehicles are equipped with manual door releases, they may not be easily accessible to all occupants, especially younger children.

Scope of the Probe

The probe will assess the overall design of the electronic door‑lock system, focusing on the operability of the locks from outside the vehicle. The agency also plans to monitor any additional reports of entrapment involving the ability to open doors from inside the vehicle, though the current investigation centers on the lack of an external manual override.

Potential Outcomes

Depending on the findings, NHTSA may require Tesla to modify the power‑supply architecture for the door locks, improve the accessibility of manual release mechanisms, or issue guidance to owners on how to safely operate the doors under low‑voltage conditions. The investigation remains open, and the agency will take further action as needed based on additional data and reports.

Broader Context

This inquiry adds to a series of regulatory examinations of Tesla’s safety systems. The company has previously faced scrutiny over the reporting of crashes involving its partially autonomous driving technology and the performance of its remote‑parking feature. The current focus on door‑handle reliability underscores ongoing concerns about the integration of electronic components into critical safety functions.

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