NHTSA Opens Investigation Into 174,000 Tesla Model Y Door Handle Failures

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a preliminary evaluation into approximately 174,290 Tesla Model Y vehicles from the 2021 model year due to reports of electronic door handles failing to operate properly. Complaints particularly highlight situations where parents exiting the vehicle to place or remove a child from the rear seat are unable to reopen exterior doors, sometimes forcing them to break windows to regain entry. The issue appears linked to the electronic door locks receiving insufficient voltage, with some repair records indicating replacement of low-voltage batteries, although no prior warnings were reported by owners. While Tesla vehicles have manual door releases inside, children may not be able to access or use them effectively if the driver is not present. NHTSA's investigation is the first step in determining whether a safety defect exists that could lead to a recall, but there have been no reported injuries or accidents directly attributed to this malfunction so far. Tesla has not yet responded publicly to the inquiry.