Tesla plans to redesign door handles after reports of trapped passengers in crashes. Learn what changes are coming and why safety concerns are rising.
Table of Contents
Tesla plans to redesign door handles
Introduction
Tesla is under scrutiny once again — this time for its door handle design. Following reports of passengers being trapped inside Teslas during accidents and post-crash fires, the company is planning a redesign aimed at improving emergency exits. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received numerous complaints, while a Bloomberg investigation documented more than 140 incidents where faulty or confusing door mechanisms prevented passengers from escaping.
Why Tesla’s Door Handles Are Facing Safety Concerns
- Accident reports: Rescuers struggled to open Tesla doors during crashes, leaving some passengers trapped in burning vehicles.
- Everyday issues: Tesla owners reported having to break their own windows after being locked out with children inside.
- Investigation: NHTSA is reviewing owner complaints, while Bloomberg highlighted cases of severe injuries and fatalities linked to door failures.
These incidents raise serious questions about safety and usability in emergency situations.
Tesla’s Planned Redesign
Tesla design chief Franz von Holzhausen revealed on Bloomberg’s Hot Pursuit! podcast that the company is working to combine manual and electronic release mechanisms into a single button.
Tesla’s chief designer Franz von Holzhausen recently revealed on a podcast that the company is developing a simpler door-release system. Instead of having separate electronic and manual mechanisms, Tesla aims to merge both into a single, easy-to-use control.
This redesign would aim to:
- Simplify emergency exits in panic situations.
- Reduce confusion for passengers unfamiliar with Tesla vehicles.
- Eliminate the need to locate a separate manual release inside the car.
Will Older Tesla Models Be Fixed?
It’s unclear whether Tesla will update existing vehicles or apply the redesign only to future models.
- Current designs:
- Model S & X → handles extend/retract.
- Model 3 & Y → handles mechanically flip out.
- Problem: If power is lost in a crash, passengers must find the manual release inside — which is often hard to locate quickly, especially for children or untrained passengers.
This design flaw has been directly linked to fatal outcomes in post-crash fires.
Broader Implications for EV Safety
Tesla’s door handle issue highlights a larger debate in the EV industry: balancing innovation with safety standards.
- Insurance impact: Safety flaws may affect auto insurance costs for Tesla owners.
- Regulatory action: NHTSA could pressure Tesla to adopt clearer safety mechanisms.
- Consumer trust: Incidents may raise concerns for buyers considering electric vehicles.
For Tesla, known for pushing design boundaries, the challenge will be ensuring practical safety features match futuristic innovation.
FAQs
Q1: Why is Tesla redesigning its door handles?
Tesla is redesigning its door handles after reports of passengers being trapped in accidents, with some incidents resulting in severe injuries and fatalities.
Q2: What change is Tesla planning?
Tesla plans to combine electronic and manual door release mechanisms into a single button, making emergency exits faster and easier.
Q3: Will the redesign apply to older Tesla models?
It’s uncertain. Experts suggest existing models may not be updated due to design limitations, while new vehicles are more likely to receive the fix.
Q4: Which Tesla models have door handle issues?
The Model S and X use retractable handles, while the Model 3 and Y have flip-out handles. Both rely on a manual release inside the car if power is lost.
Q5: How serious are the safety concerns?
A Bloomberg investigation found 140+ cases of people trapped in Teslas, including incidents that led to severe burns and deaths after post-crash fires.
Conclusion
Tesla’s decision to redesign its door handles marks an important step toward addressing long-standing safety concerns. While it remains unclear whether current Tesla owners will benefit from the update, the move underscores growing pressure from regulators and consumers alike.
👉 Do you think Tesla should issue a recall for existing vehicles or focus only on future models? Share your views in the comments below.