BloombergA survey ofTeslaTelescopic door handles used in vehicles have been linked to 15 deaths after crashes that were deemed non-fatal.
The report pointed out,BloombergData on fire-related traffic accidents in the United States since 2012 were analyzed to estimate how many fatalities involved car doors that could not be opened.
Data for 2012 to 2023 is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while data for 2024 and 2025 is provided byBloombergConduct your own independent analysis.
according toBloombergThe investigation included reviewing thousands of pages of police, fire and autopsy reports, the statement said. Where possible, the media also reviewed incident photos, emergency call recordings and police body camera footage.
AlthoughTeslaIt’s not the only automaker to use telescoping door handles, but it’s certainly the one that’s received the most complaints.
BloombergThe investigation found that in about 12 accidents, passengers or rescuers were unable to open cars that had crashed and caught fire.Teslacar door.
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althoughBloombergThe 15 deaths represent only a small portion of the hundreds of fatal electric vehicle accidents over the past decade, but deaths related to electric vehicle door handles are still on the rise.
according toBloombergThe analysis shows that more than half of the deaths occurred after November 2024, showing a worsening trend.
The outlet stressed that no state or federal agency currently provides complete and publicly available statistics tracking the number of people trapped in cars because their doors cannot be opened. This has been attributed to the critical moments following an accident, when it is often difficult to pinpoint the actual circumstances.
Involved in many casesTeslaAfter the fatal accident involving the car door, NHTSA targeted the car on September 15 this year.Model YThe vehicle’s retractable door handles were investigated.
TeslaThe electric door handles are powered by a 12-volt battery. However, if the battery fails or is cut off during a crash, the system becomes virtually inoperable.
Although the vehicle’s front door is equipped with a manual unlocking mechanism, it is not clearly marked and the relevant location instructions can only be found in the owner’s manual.
It is worth emphasizing that, according toBloombergAccording to reports, Model 3 and Model Y are not equipped with the same unlocking mechanism for the rear doors. For some vehicles equipped with a manual backup device in the rear seatTeslaDepending on the model, the unlocking tab may be located under the floor mats, behind the speaker grille, or under plastic trim, making it particularly difficult to find in an emergency.
In order to solve this problem,TeslaAn article has been published on its official website stating that the vehicle will be equipped with a system that automatically opens the door after an accident. However, the company did not specify which models will receive this security update.
Photo: Unsplash. This content is produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
