Tesla Faces Lawsuit Over Door Design After Fatal Wisconsin Crash

Tesla is facing multiple lawsuits over a fatal crash involving a 2016 Model S in Verona, Wisconsin, where five passengers were trapped inside the vehicle due to alleged design defects in the electronic door handles and lithium-ion battery system. The lawsuits claim that the flush-mounted, electronically controlled door handles malfunctioned during the crash, preventing occupants from escaping the subsequent fire, and that Tesla was aware of these risks from previous incidents but failed to implement safer design changes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened investigations into these door handle malfunctions, extending probes to other Tesla models including the Model 3 and Model Y. Plaintiffs argue that Tesla's design choices created a foreseeable risk of occupants being trapped in burning vehicles, seeking damages for medical, funeral, and punitive costs. Tesla has acknowledged the complaints and stated intentions to redesign the door handles but has not yet publicly responded to these specific lawsuits. These legal challenges add to scrutiny over Tesla's safety practices amid ongoing federal investigations.