NHTSA Investigates Tesla Model 3 Emergency Door Handles

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into the emergency door release mechanisms of approximately 179,000 Tesla Model 3 vehicles from the 2022 model year. This action follows a complaint from a Tesla owner who reported difficulty locating the mechanical door release during an emergency, describing it as "hidden, unlabeled, and not intuitive to locate during an emergency."

The owner recounted an incident where, after their Model 3 caught fire, they were compelled to escape through the rear window due to the challenges in finding the manual door release.

Tesla has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the investigation.

This probe adds to previous scrutiny of Tesla's door handle designs. In September 2025, the NHTSA opened an investigation into the 2021 Tesla Model Y SUV after receiving reports of parents being unable to open the vehicle's electronic doors to access their children. In some cases, parents resorted to breaking windows to gain entry.

The NHTSA's current investigation aims to assess the accessibility and labeling of the emergency door release mechanisms in the Model 3 to ensure occupant safety during emergencies.