The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a preliminary evaluation into the emergency door release design on 2022 Tesla Model 3 sedans. The agency said the probe covers about 179,071 vehicles built for the 2022 model year.
- The case began with a defect petition filed by a vehicle owner.
- The complaint claims the mechanical backup release is hard to see and not clearly marked inside the cabin.
- Regulators say they are examining whether the layout meets federal safety rules for quick escape in a crash or fire.
NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation is the first step in a formal defect process that can later expand into an engineering analysis and eventually a safety recall if a defect is confirmed.
Why Tesla’s doors are under scrutiny again
Tesla uses electronic buttons instead of conventional mechanical exterior handles and relies on a hidden mechanical lever as a backup inside the door. Safety researchers have warned for years that this approach can confuse occupants and rescuers when power is lost.
- The petition says the Model 3’s manual release is “hidden, unlabeled, and not intuitive,” especially for passengers unfamiliar with the car.
- Critics argue that in a fire, flood, or high‑speed crash, every extra second spent searching for a lever increases the risk of injury.
- This probe adds to long‑running debates over Tesla’s minimal interior design and its trade‑offs between aesthetics, software focus, and basic ergonomics.
NHTSA’s latest move also follows several lawsuits alleging that earlier Tesla crashes left occupants trapped or delayed rescue because electronic door systems failed or were difficult to operate after impact.
What the investigation will examine
At this stage NHTSA has not ordered a recall, and the agency stresses that opening a probe does not mean regulators have found a defect. Investigators will collect field reports, design documents, and possibly test vehicles to understand how the Model 3 doors behave in real emergency scenarios.
Key questions for regulators include:
- How clearly is the mechanical release labeled and illuminated for front and rear passengers?
- Can children, older adults, or first‑time occupants easily locate and operate the lever without instructions?
- Do instructions in the owner’s manual and in‑car displays meet safety expectations during a sudden power loss?
Depending on the findings, NHTSA can close the case with no action, push Tesla for a voluntary fix, or escalate to a recall that would likely involve software changes, labeling updates, or hardware modifications.
Investor reaction and Tesla’s risk
The new door investigation landed as another negative headline for Tesla, which is already navigating slowing growth, rising competition, and past safety probes into Autopilot and other systems. A separate report noted Tesla’s stock slipped as investors weighed the potential for future recall costs and brand damage.
- Any recall would add to a long list of service campaigns Tesla has handled via software updates.
- Reputational risk around basic safety features, like doors, may carry more weight with mainstream buyers than high‑tech features such as driver‑assist.
For Tesla, the case also ties into a broader conversation about how far design can push away from familiar mechanical controls before it starts to undermine perceived safety.
How this could reshape EV interior design
The probe arrives at a moment when regulators worldwide are catching up with fast‑moving EV and software‑defined vehicle trends. As more brands shift to flush handles and electronic latches, NHTSA’s approach to the Model 3 may set a template for future rulemaking.
Possible outcomes industry analysts are watching include:
- Stronger requirements for visible, clearly labeled emergency mechanical releases on all doors.
- Updated crash‑test protocols that simulate power loss and smoke conditions inside vehicles.
- New guidelines for human‑machine interface (HMI) design, balancing minimalism with intuitive escape routes.
Automakers developing next‑generation EVs may pre‑emptively adjust door and latch layouts if this investigation leads to stricter expectations, even without a formal regulation yet in place.
(Source: usnews, barrons, marketwatch)
