NHTSA Rejects Tesla Petition to Dismiss Model 3 Door Handle Investigation
The agency is moving toward rulemaking that would require clearer labeling of emergency door releases across all automakers.
NHTSA has denied Tesla's petition to end a potential defect investigation into roughly 180,000 Model 3 vehicles over concerns regarding emergency mechanical door releases.
What Happened
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rejected Tesla's request for a defect investigation on the grounds that the company did not present evidence of a safety-related defect in its door handles or their emergency releases. The agency identified only one complaint involving the mechanical releases: a 2022 Model 3 owner reported the release was concealed and unlabeled after the vehicle lost power following a front-end collision. Rather than pursue an investigation, NHTSA stated it would prefer to address the issue through rulemaking that would require automakers to make emergency door latch releases more clearly labeled.
Why It Matters
Tesla's electronically operated door handles have drawn criticism because some occupants report difficulty exiting vehicles after power loss. While all Teslas include mechanical emergency releases on all four passenger doors, their locations vary across model years and redesigns—and many owners remain unaware they exist or how to use them. The NHTSA's shift toward industry-wide rulemaking could affect not just Tesla but every automaker, potentially requiring standardized labeling and placement for emergency egress systems.
The Bottom Line
Tesla owners should consult their vehicle's safety manual to locate their model's mechanical door releases. Rather than investigating Tesla specifically, NHTSA is pursuing a regulatory framework that would mandate clearer identification of emergency door releases across all vehicles.
