Tesla considers modifications to its door handles due to multiple incidents of passengers becoming trapped
Tesla Announces Door Redesign for Improved Emergency Exit
In response to a series of accidents and concerns raised about emergency exits in Tesla cars, the company's design chief, Franz von Holzhausen, has announced plans to redesign the car doors. The proposed changes aim to make it easier for passengers to exit Tesla vehicles in emergency situations.
According to von Holzhausen, the redesign will combine the manual and electronic door release mechanisms into one button for quicker and easier access. This change is intended to address concerns about the location of the manual door release buttons, which have been identified as a problem in emergency situations.
The Bloomberg investigation, which found 140 incidents of people being trapped in their Teslas due to problems with the door handles, including several resulting in injuries, has been a significant factor in this decision. The investigation also uncovered instances of passengers killed or severely burned by post-crash fires due to rescuers' inability to open the doors.
The manual door release issue is particularly concerning in emergency situations where quick and easy access is crucial. In cases of door handle failure, the doors need to be opened with a manual door release inside the vehicle. However, the location of these buttons can be difficult to find, especially for young children or unfamiliar passengers.
It's unclear if Tesla is planning to fix the door issue in all cars or just new models. The investigation did not specify if Tesla is planning to address the accessibility of the manual door release buttons. Additionally, the investigation did not provide information on whether Tesla is considering a redesign for the Model S and Model X door handles, which extend and retract, while Model 3 and Y mechanically flip out.
The exact time of introduction for Tesla's improved emergency door opening system, combining manual and electronic release mechanisms, is not specified precisely in the available sources. However, the redesign was announced following investigations and criticisms around 2023-2024 related to problems with door opening in emergency situations, particularly for Model Y vehicles from the 2021 model year.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation into Tesla cars due to reports of owners being unable to open their cars after buckling children in. This investigation adds to the pressure on Tesla to address the door handle issues and improve emergency exit in their vehicles.
Several incidents resulting from door handle problems in Tesla cars have reportedly led to horrific injuries. The company's decision to redesign the doors is a step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of its passengers in emergency situations.
In a "panic situation," as suggested by von Holzhausen, combining the electronic and manual door release mechanisms into one button would make sense. This change, if implemented effectively, could significantly improve the safety and usability of Tesla vehicles.
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