Investigation Launched by NHTSA Against 174,000 Model Y Tesla Vehicles Due to Faulty Door Handles
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into approximately 174,000 Tesla Model Y vehicles from the 2021 model year, due to electronic door handle failures. This potential recall could have significant implications for the affected Model Y customers.
Tesla's Model Y, the automaker's best-selling vehicle, has become central to its global growth strategy. The vehicle's critical role in Tesla's success underscores the potential impact of any safety-related issues on the vehicle.
The preliminary evaluation by NHTSA suggests that the failures are tied to insufficient voltage being delivered to the electronic locks. The agency has received nine separate complaints describing situations where exterior door handles became inoperative. In several cases, parents had exited the vehicle to place or remove a child in the rear seat, only to find themselves unable to reopen the door. Four of the incidents reportedly escalated to parents breaking a window to regain access to their vehicle.
Repair invoices from owners often cite replacement of the vehicle's low-voltage battery after the incidents, but none reported seeing a low-voltage battery warning beforehand. Tesla vehicles feature manual door releases inside the cabin, but NHTSA notes that children may not be able to reach or operate these mechanisms without assistance.
The official statement regarding the investigation of around 174,000 Tesla Model Y from 2021 by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was not directly given by Tesla, as they did not respond to requests for comment. The NHTSA and U.S. officials have been active in investigating Tesla vehicles for safety issues, but no specific individual is cited delivering the official statement on this Model Y investigation.
It is important to note that the investigations by NHTSA are not limited to the electronic door handles but also extend to Tesla's Full Self-Driving software and "Actually Smart Summon" feature. Earlier this year, NHTSA also opened a probe into Tesla's "Actually Smart Summon" feature.
If the agency determines the issue poses an unreasonable safety risk, it could lead to a recall. NHTSA's investigation is still ongoing, and Tesla has not yet publicly commented on the probe regarding the electronic door handles.
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