Tesla under investigation over door handles that can lock passengers in cars

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Tesla's electronic door handles, which can lose power and lock people inside, The Verge reports.

The investigation covers about 174,000 Model Y electric crossovers, but the regulator warns that the inspection may be extended to other models. These are cases of door handle malfunctions due to a low-voltage battery, which does not allow the door to be opened from the outside. NHTSA reported nine documented incidents in which children remained locked inside Teslas and parents could not open the door to get them out.

Tesla has mechanical levers for emergency door opening, but the regulator emphasizes that children or the elderly may not be aware of them or be able to use them.

"Entrapment in a vehicle is particularly concerning in emergency situations, such as when children are entrapped in a hot vehicle," the NHTSA notes.

Tesla has long been criticized for the design of its door handles: they are built into the body of the car to reduce drag, but rely on electricity. The Chinese government once even discussed banning them for safety reasons.

The investigation adds to the ongoing scrutiny of Tesla in the US. The company has previously been criticized for being slow to report Autopilot crashes and for having problems with remote parking after several incidents. The new investigation was also intensified by a Bloomberg investigation in which Tesla owners said they were trapped in their cars with serious injuries after crashes.

Recall, Tesla recently recalled more than 7,000 2025 Model Y crossovers in Australia due to a software error in the driver's side automatic window protection system.