"Fire Breaks Out but Automatic Door Won't Open"...Tesla Faces U.S. Authorities' Investigation

Investigation Launched After Petition Filed Over Model 3 Defect

Tesla is facing an additional investigation by U.S. authorities following a consumer petition claiming that it is difficult to open car doors in emergencies such as accidents.

According to documents released by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on December 24 (local time), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) within NHTSA has received a petition requesting an investigation into possible defects in the mechanical door release mechanism of the Tesla Model 3, and has begun the evaluation process.

The authorities explained that the petition, received on November 24, alleged that the mechanical door release mechanism in the 2022 Tesla Model 3 is hidden in an inconspicuous location, lacks any markings, and cannot be found intuitively in an emergency. It is estimated that 179,071 vehicles are related to this issue.

According to major foreign media outlets, this NHTSA investigation was prompted by a petition submitted by Kevin Klaus, a Tesla owner in Georgia, after his experience of being trapped in his vehicle in 2023. Klaus claimed that during a fire in his Model 3, he was unable to open the door and had to kick it open with his foot to escape.

Tesla has introduced electronic door release mechanisms in its electric vehicles, but consumers have reported that the doors cannot be opened when this mechanism fails to operate after a collision. Additionally, in such emergency situations, although the door can be opened using the mechanical mechanism, it has been pointed out that this mechanism is located in a place that is not easy to find intuitively, which could result in occupants being trapped inside the car.

Previously, in September, NHTSA also launched a preliminary investigation after receiving nine consumer reports concerning doors failing to open in 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles.