An investigation by Bloomberg attributes 15 deaths to entrapment caused by Tesla’s electronic door release system in crash situations.
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An ongoing investigation by news outlet Bloomberg reports that Tesla’s electronic door release system could be responsible for at least 15 deaths in the United States.
The report filed by Bloomberg analysed crash data going back to 2012, following multiple reports by owners that Tesla’s electronically operated doors could fail to operate following a crash.
Using information supplied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the report focused on accidents with reported fatalities that involved a fire, and included not just Tesla, but all car manufacturers, based on data compiled between 2012 and 2023.
Bloomberg reveals that of the almost 70 models on sale in the United States with an electronic door release system, Tesla accounted for the highest number of consumer complaints.
The investigation discovered over a dozen incidents where either vehicle occupants or emergency services were unable to open the doors of Tesla vehicles that had crashed and caught fire.
Despite a requirement for electronically-latched door systems to feature a physical release system as a backup in emergencies, the operation of these may not always be obvious or accessible by occupants in a panic situation.
The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y feature an interior release via an electronic push-button. The front doors offer a lift-up handle near the door pull, but the rear doors are opened via a release that requires removing a trim panel in the bottom of the door pocket before operating.
Bloomberg’s data shows that the potential for entrapment by electronic door releases is growing, with more than half of the deaths from the latest report occurring since November 2024.
Tesla has addressed concerns by adding a safety page to its US and Australian websites, highlighting the built-in and standard safety features of its vehicles.
This page doesn't address the door release operation directly, suggesting only that doors will be unlocked after a crash to assist emergency responders – a feature that most brands offer.
At that time, Bloomberg was looking into over 140 customer complaints against the brand for doors that had become stuck, malfunctioned, or otherwise failed to open.
The NHTSA has an open investigation into over 174,291 2021 model-year Model Ys over concerns that the exterior door handles may not operate, leading to an entrapment risk.
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Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
