The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a formal investigation targeting Tesla Inc.'s Model 3 sedan, specifically assessing the emergency door release mechanism’s usability and accessibility during critical situations. This action was catalyzed by a defect petition which alleged that the mechanical door release on the 2022 Model 3 is inadequately designed, being hidden and unlabeled, complicating quick evacuation in urgent scenarios.
The investigation, managed by the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, encompasses approximately 179,071 Tesla Model 3 vehicles manufactured in the 2022 model year. Initiated on December 23, this examination responds directly to concerns raised in the petition which critiques the location and usability of the manual door release, vital in case of electronic system failures or emergencies.
Tesla’s Model 3 departs from conventional door handle designs by employing electronic latches operated via buttons. While this represents a modern approach to vehicle entry and exit, the petition highlights significant drawbacks. According to the submission on the NHTSA’s website, the mechanical door release is “hidden, unlabeled, and not intuitive to locate during an emergency,” potentially impairing occupants' ability to rapidly exit the vehicle if required.
This investigation aligns with a broader regulatory focus on Tesla’s safety protocols and systems. In the preceding months, Tesla has been subject to multiple probes and legal actions associated with door handle functionality and autonomous driving features. Notably, in September, the NHTSA scrutinized Tesla Model Y SUVs after reports surfaced about children becoming trapped due to malfunctioning electronic door handles.
Adding to the company’s regulatory challenges, in November Tesla was named in lawsuits tied to fatal accidents allegedly connected to door handle design issues. The petition investigation into the Model 3's door release may potentially evolve into further enforcement measures, including recalls, should safety defects be substantiated.
The Tesla-related safety inquiries extend beyond physical hardware to include software aspects. In October, several US senators advocated for the NHTSA to probe Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, signaling concerns about the system’s performance and risks, particularly at railroad crossings. Tesla’s FSD system is also under legal scrutiny via a class action suit that accuses the company of making misleading claims about this technology’s capabilities and readiness.
Despite these controversies, Tesla has demonstrated strengths in market momentum and quality metrics, although it remains challenged on valuation metrics. The company’s stock price trajectory exhibits a positive trend across short, medium, and long-term periods, reflecting ongoing investor interest amid operational and regulatory headwinds.
In summary, the NHTSA’s probe into the emergency door release of the Tesla Model 3 deepens the regulatory oversight Tesla faces concerning both its hardware safety elements and autonomous driving features. The outcomes of these investigations bear significant implications for Tesla’s product safety reputation and may influence future vehicle design considerations.