The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a defect investigation into approximately 180,000 Tesla Model 3 vehicles due to concerns regarding the accessibility of the door release mechanism. Complaints highlight that the controls may be difficult to locate during emergencies, an issue that has also been raised by families affected by a tragic incident involving a Cybertruck.
The investigation, launched on December 23, was prompted by a complaint from a Georgia resident who described the door release as "hidden, unlabeled, and not intuitive." This filing references an incident that resulted in one injury, suggesting potential safety risks associated with the Model 3’s door design.
In light of earlier incidents, including difficulties faced by parents in accessing children from the back of the 2021 Model Y, the NHTSA is closely examining the situation. Tesla has not yet responded to the latest investigation, but in previous statements, design chief Franz von Holzhausen mentioned plans to merge the manual and electronic door release systems to enhance safety during emergencies.