NHTSA opens investigation into Tesla's electronic triggers, and the brand is preparing changes.

Tesla's focus on flush-mounted door handles and the elimination of traditional shifters has come back into the spotlight following an investigation opened in the United States. The highway safety authority, the NHTSA, is examining whether the Electronic handles can render doors inoperable in critical situations, especially when the power supply fails.

In parallel, Elon Musk's company has confirmed that it is considering changes to the design.. According to its chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, a solution is being worked on that combines electronic and mechanical opening in a single element, so that any occupant can activate the exit more intuitively in a panic situation.

What NHTSA is investigating and what models are affected

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary evaluation focused on about 174.000 units of the 2021 Tesla Model YThe case file is based on nine complaints in which the owners were unable to open the doors from the outside; in four cases, the adults they broke a window to recover children from the interior.

The regulator's focus is on the operability of the exterior closures, as it's the only point without a direct manual release. There are emergency release mechanisms in the passenger compartment, but they may be unclear, out of reach of children, or require manipulation that not everyone is familiar with.

This phase is the first step toward a possible recall if a security risk is confirmed. Early indications suggest that the 12V auxiliary battery It can degrade without warning, leaving the electronic locks without power. Some owners claim they replaced this low-voltage battery without receiving any prior warnings from the car.

NHTSA has been collecting more reports since 2018 about doors that stick or don't respond on various Tesla models, exceeding the 140 formal complaints related to these incidents, according to summaries cited by Bloomberg.

How Tesla's Electronic Shooters Work and Where They Fail

In the Model Y and other Teslas, the exterior opening is done with a flush button or handle that activates an electric latchUnder normal conditions, the system facilitates clean access and reduces aerodynamic noise, but if the low-voltage circuit fails, the handle may become unresponsive.

Inside the car there are mechanical alternatives. In the front seats there is a manual unlocking, although its location may go unnoticed by those who have not used it before. On the rear axle, the most recent models incorporate a cable system, while on versions prior to 2023 Manual access was more limited and depended on the electric button.

Several owners point out that These emergency releases are hidden behind small covers or in hard-to-reach areas., which complicates its use in an accident, with smoke, or with nervous children inside. In its manual, Tesla indicates that if the 12 V battery fails, access can be restored by connecting an external source through the front, a maneuver unviable in a fire or with a minor trapped.

The focus on simplifying controls is broader across the range. An example of this is the Model 3 "Highland", that replaced the classic turn signal levers with buttons on the steering wheelThis minimalist orientation has drawn criticism from European security agencies due to the risk of distraction and the possible lack of physical redundancies in emergencies.

Incidents and background

Beyond the administrative files, there have been documented cases where the opening was complicated after an accident. An accident in Toronto in 2024, with a Model Y on fire, highlighted that the failure of the electrical system can turn evacuation into a race against time if occupants fail to locate the manual exit in time.

Organizations such as the ADAC in Germany has long warned that retractable handles and fully integrated handles hinder rescue teams., slow extraction and provide less surface area to force a deformed door open in the event of an impact.

The controversy is not exclusive to Tesla, but the brand has taken the issue to the limit. dependence on electronic systems for everyday functions. Bloomberg has compiled more than 140 incidents of doors not opening or getting stuck on various models, with several injuries in the process.

In the past, Tesla has recalled more than 120.000 units of the Model S and X In the US, the doors could remain unlocked and open during an accident. The European Union, for its part, has revised rescue protocols to improve crash extrication in vehicles with unconventional locks and handles.

Tesla's response and possible changes

Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla's chief designer, explained in a podcast cited by Reuters that the company is working on a redesign that integrates into a single control The electronic and mechanical opening. "It makes sense" so that, under full tension, the user can clearly identify the gesture that allows them to exit.

The manager acknowledged that the goal is to win intuitiveness in panic situations, reducing confusion between the electronic button and manual release. Neither the timing nor the scope have been detailed: it remains to be seen whether the solution will be delivered via update., through retrofit kits or only in new models.

Regulatory pressure is not limited to the United States. In China, the regulator is weighing limit completely hidden handles for safety reasonsTesla says it's prepared for this scenario, which could set a trend in the world's largest electric vehicle market.

If NHTSA concludes that a safety-related defect exists, The file could lead to a recallAt this time, Tesla has not issued any official comments on this preliminary assessment, other than to reiterate that it takes any reported security incidents seriously.

The discussion about flush-mounted handles and electronic pulls mixes design and safety: what provides aesthetic cleanliness can become an obstacle when power is lacking or every second counts. With an open investigation into the 2021 Model Y and nine key complaints, and with Tesla fine-tuning a solution that combines the electrical and mechanical aspects, the outcome will depend on whether the redesign manages to maintain style without sacrificing emergency escape capability.