Elon Musk's Tesla under investigation for potentially faulty door handles
Share this @internewscast.com

Federal auto safety regulators initiated an investigation Tuesday into potential issues with Tesla doors that reportedly have resulted in children being trapped in the back seat, compelling parents to break windows to free them.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the initial probe targets 2021 Tesla Model Ys after receiving nine reports of electronic door handles failing, possibly due to low battery voltage.

The business, led by billionaire Elon Musk, has equipped vehicles with manual door releases. However, NHTSA pointed out that a child might not be able to access or know how to use these releases. In four instances, parents were forced to break windows to gain entry.

The inquiry into Tesla’s most popular model comes after numerous reported incidents in recent years concerning issues with opening Tesla doors, sometimes trapping drivers in burning vehicles after accidents and power failures.

In April, a college basketball recruit recounted the desperate struggle to escape his Tesla Cybertruck, which caught fire after crashing into a tree, rendering the doors inoperable. The University of Southern California player, Alijah Arenas, who was induced into a temporary coma following the accident, survived by using a water bottle to protect himself as smoke filled the vehicle.

Last year, relatives of a Tesla Model 3 driver who perished being trapped and burned beyond recognition filed a lawsuit against Musk’s company for negligence and fraud, accusing it of failing to address what they termed a door design flaw despite allegedly 200 fires involving its vehicles. The case is underway in Los Angeles Superior Court.

NHTSA said the investigation is only focusing on the operability of the electronic door locks from outside of the vehicle, not inside, as that’s the only instance in which there is no manual way to open the door. But it also said it will continue to monitor reports of people stuck on the inside – what it calls “entrapment” – and will take further action as needed.

The current agency investigation covers approximately 174,300 of the midsize SUVs.

The agency said the incidents appear to occur when the electronic door locks receive insufficient voltage from the vehicle. It said that available repair invoices indicate that batteries were replaced after such incidents took place. Of those who reported incidents, none saw a low voltage battery warning before the exterior door handles became inoperative.

NHTSA said that its preliminary evaluation will look at the scope and severity of the condition, including the risks that come from the conditions that have been reported to them.

The agency’s investigation will also assess the approach used by Tesla to supply power to the door locks and the reliability of the applicable power supplies.

Tesla is also under investigation by NHTSA for a “summon” technology that allows drivers to tell their cars to drive to their location to pick them up, a feature that has reportedly led to some fender benders in parking lots. A probe into driver-assistance features in 2.4 million Teslas was opened last year after several crashes in fog and other low-visibility conditions, including one in which a pedestrian was killed. Another investigation was launched by NHTSA in August looking into why Tesla apparently has not been reporting crashes promptly to the agency as required by its rules.

Musk is under pressure to show that the latest advances in its driver-assistance features have not only fixed such reported glitches but have made them so good drivers don’t even need to look out the window anymore. He recently promised to put hundreds of thousands of such self-driving Tesla cars and Tesla robotaxis on roads by the end of the next year.

That effort has become more urgent as a plunge in Tesla sales that began earlier this year shows little sign of abating. Musk has angered the traditional environmentally conscious Tesla customer base by supporting U.S. President Donald Trump and far-right politicians in Europe and their policies. On Saturday, he told protestors at an anti-immigration rally in London that “violence is coming to you” and “you either fight back or you die.”

Tesla stock rose more than 2% to $419.25 in afternoon trading Tuesday following a jump the day before on news Musk had bought $1 billion worth of shares.


Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Mamdani prioritizes $2.5B for NYCHA green upgrades as tenants’ homes crumble

Mamdani Allocates $2.5B for Eco-Friendly NYCHA Upgrades Amid Tenant Housing Challenges

Residents of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) properties are voicing their…
Mets fans blast Mamdani's 'LGM' post after Amazin's snap 12-game 'Curse of Mambino' losing streak

Mets Fans Erupt Over Mamdani’s ‘LGM’ Tweet After Snapping the Dreaded ‘Curse of Mambino

Mets fans barely had time to savor the end of their team’s…
Chicago crime: Man killed, 3 women injured in shooting at 26th Street, St. Louis Avenue in Little Village

Tragic Shooting in Chicago’s Little Village: One Dead, Three Injured on 26th & St. Louis

In a tragic incident on Chicago’s Southwest Side, a man lost his…
Sickening video shows NYC teen stomp on girl's head -- after she refused to give him her number

Shocking NYC Incident: Teen Brutally Attacks Girl for Rejecting Advances, Caught on Video

A disturbing video has emerged showing a violent encounter between two teenagers,…
Second alleged Guthrie ransom deadline missed, sparking new theories from Bongino, former FBI agent and doctor

Speedy DNA Test Results Possible in High-Profile Nancy Guthrie Case, Expert Reveals

A prominent figure in genetic genealogy anticipates that the analysis of a…
How SPLC's $520,000-per-year CEO helped turn civil rights group into a 'partisan smear machine'

Unmasking the Transformation: How SPLC’s High-Paid CEO Shifted Focus from Civil Rights to Controversial Partisanship

Margaret Huang, the former leader of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC),…
UFO writer, paranormal YouTuber dies in suicide at home after mental health call: police

Tragic Loss: Renowned UFO Writer and Paranormal YouTuber’s Untimely Death Raises Mental Health Awareness

This article contains discussions about suicide. If you or someone you know…
New healthy school lunch program is tackling ultra-processed foods

Revolutionizing School Nutrition: New Program Targets Ultra-Processed Foods for Healthier Lunches

School cafeterias across the nation are undergoing a significant transformation thanks to…
Hugh Jackman takes on new role for innovative charity

Hugh Jackman Joins Groundbreaking Charity Initiative in Exciting New Role

Hugh Jackman, renowned for his leading roles in blockbuster films such as…
Chicago Bears stadium news: Arlington Heights fans cheer as 'megaprojects' bill passes Illinois House

Exciting Win for Chicago Bears Fans: Arlington Heights Stadium Project Clears Major Hurdle in Illinois House

The Bears took a significant step forward in securing funding for their…
Elite school teacher known as 'Mr Wonderful' accused of heinous crimes against students

Esteemed Educator ‘Mr. Wonderful’ Faces Serious Allegations of Crimes Against Students

A former educator at a private institution, once known by the moniker…
The Kremlin’s war on censorship looks a lot like trigger warnings in NYC, dissident Russian director says

Russian Director Compares Kremlin’s Censorship Tactics to NYC’s Trigger Warnings

Fleeing Russia in pursuit of freedom, a prominent director found himself ensnared…