Tesla Faces US Auto Safety Investigation over Door Handles

Design and Function of Tesla Door Handles

• Many commenters were shocked that with a dead 12V system there is effectively no straightforward way to open doors from outside; access requires jump-starting the low-voltage system, which is seen as absurd in an emergency.
• Inside, some Tesla models originally had no mechanical rear-door release at all; later versions hide a manual release behind unlabeled trim or panels or under carpet, requiring knowledge of obscure procedures.
• People note this is unusable for panicked passengers or children and question how such designs pass safety and accessibility standards.

Emergency Scenarios and Real-World Incidents

• Multiple posts describe crashes or breakdowns where occupants panicked and could not quickly find or operate manual releases, resorting to breaking windows.
• Commenters highlight scenarios like fire, submersion in water, or “dog mode” failing with a child/pet inside, where both inside and outside access must be immediate and obvious.
• Several high-profile fatal incidents involving Teslas trapped in water or after crashes are discussed as examples of failure modes.

Broader Critique of Retractable/Electronic Handles

• Retractable flush handles are called a “solved problem made worse”: more weight, complexity, and failure modes for marginal aerodynamic or aesthetic benefit.
• Comparisons are made to touchscreens replacing physical controls and confusing electronic gear selectors.
• One link notes China is considering banning fully retractable handles because of rescue difficulty; some hope other regulators follow.

Human Factors and Usability

• Users stress that in panic people revert to their primary habit: pull the obvious handle. Requiring a different motion or hidden lever is seen as fundamentally unsafe.
• Suggestions include two-stage handles (first electrical, then mechanical), designs that default to an exposed handle when unpowered, and industry-wide standards for intuitive mechanical overrides.
• Several note the absurdity of expecting passengers, firefighters, or bystanders to study manuals before emergencies.

Tesla Owners’ Views and Safety Tradeoffs

• Several Tesla owners report being generally happy with the cars but explicitly label the door design as dangerous and anxiety-inducing for families.
• Others accuse them of cognitive dissonance or “cult-like” loyalty for keeping or upgrading to new Teslas despite acknowledging the risk.
• Some owners counter that, despite this flaw, Teslas perform exceptionally well in crash tests and overall safety ratings.

Debate Over Responsibility, Experts, and Musk

• One side frames the handles as emblematic of ego-driven or “designer insanity” prioritizing looks over safety, and expresses distrust of “experts” and regulators who allowed it.
• Another side emphasizes Tesla’s strong safety scores and argues that attributing every bad design choice to one executive is simplistic.
• A long tangent debates that executive’s engineering competence and political activities, with conflicting claims about libertarian vs authoritarian tendencies and whether criticism is technically or politically motivated.