Key Takeaways

  • US regulators are exploring new safety rules for vehicle door handles.
  • This follows incidents where individuals were trapped in cars with Tesla’s flush door handles.
  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is involved in the rule-making process.
  • Manual door releases in Tesla vehicles may not function during power failures.

Regulatory Review Initiated

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering new requirements for automakers to ensure that drivers and passengers can safely exit their vehicles. This move comes after a series of incidents, including fatalities, involving flush, electronically operated door handles, such as those used in Tesla vehicles. The regulatory process was outlined in a recent filing and first reported by various news sources.

Petition for Investigation

The NHTSA’s announcement follows a petition requesting an investigation into the emergency mechanical door release system on the 2022 Tesla Model 3. The petitioners argued that the design does not meet federal motor vehicle standards. However, NHTSA decided against pursuing the investigation, stating that the matter would be better addressed through rule-making.

Potential Impact on Automakers

If new rules are adopted, all automakers will be required to comply. However, NHTSA clarified that initiating rule-making does not guarantee the establishment of new standards. The agency has received a petition to require an emergency door egress system to mitigate the risk of occupants becoming trapped during electrical failures. NHTSA will gather data and public comments to assess whether new safety standards are necessary.

Previous Investigations and Concerns

This decision follows an earlier investigation by NHTSA into Tesla’s door handles after receiving multiple reports from owners who were unable to access their vehicles, sometimes with children inside. The investigation was prompted by incidents where Tesla drivers and passengers became trapped after crashes.

Current Design Limitations

While Tesla vehicles do include manual door releases, these are only accessible from inside the car. Initial reviews by NHTSA indicated that the door handles might fail to operate if the electronic locks do not receive sufficient voltage from the vehicle’s battery.

Manufacturer Responses

In response to these concerns, Tesla designer Franz von Holzhausen mentioned that the company is working on redesigning its door handles. Rivian has also announced plans to modify the interior door handle design on its R2 SUV, placing the manual release in a more visible location near the powered door handles.

This article has been updated to include a statement from NHTSA.