Tesla faces scrutiny over door safety following fatal accidents

Tesla is facing increasing scrutiny regarding the safety of its vehicle doors following a series of fatal accidents where occupants were unable to escape burning vehicles. A German media outlet, Handelsblatt, recently highlighted a 2024 incident in Anseong, South Korea, where a Model Y driver died in a fire after the doors failed to open. Despite investigations by police, fire departments, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the specific cause for the door failure remains unidentified.

Critics have pointed to the design of the manual emergency release mechanism, noting that it requires removing mats and covers to access internal wires, which may hinder rapid escape during emergencies. Tesla has officially stated that some models do not include a manual emergency release device.

Global regulatory actions are also underway. In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating approximately 174,000 Model Y vehicles due to reports of electronic door handles failing. Additionally, the NHTSA has expanded an investigation into Full Self-Driving (FSD) software involving 3.2 million vehicles following reports of accidents, including fatalities. In China, Tesla has reported plans to recall approximately 2.98 million vehicles across several models to address safety issues.