Federal Agency Launches Probe into 174,000 Tesla Model Ys due to Faulty Door Handles Issues
Tesla Model Y Faces Electronic Door Handle Investigation by NHTSA
The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into approximately 174,000 Tesla Model Y vehicles from the 2021 model year, due to reports of electronic door handle failures. This is not the first time Tesla's features have drawn scrutiny from the safety agency.
The Model Y, Tesla's best-selling vehicle and a key focus for the company's global growth strategy, has been at the centre of this investigation. NHTSA has received nine separate complaints describing instances where exterior door handles became inoperative. In several cases, parents were unable to reopen the door after exiting the vehicle to place or remove a child in the rear seat.
This issue is not new to Tesla. Four incidents reportedly escalated to parents breaking a window to regain access to their vehicle. Repair invoices from owners often cite replacement of the vehicle's low-voltage battery after the incidents, but none reported seeing a low-voltage battery warning beforehand.
The preliminary review by NHTSA suggests that the failures are tied to insufficient voltage being delivered to the electronic locks. If the agency determines the issue poses an unreasonable safety risk, it could lead to a recall, which would have significant implications for Tesla's customers.
Tesla has not yet publicly commented on the probe regarding the electronic door handles. Earlier this year, NHTSA also opened a probe into Tesla's "Actually Smart Summon" feature, and has previously launched an investigation into Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software.
It is important to note that Tesla vehicles have manual door releases inside the cabin. However, NHTSA notes that children may not be able to reach or operate these mechanisms without assistance. A potential recall of nearly 174,000 units from the 2021 Model Y would represent a significant development for Tesla.
The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, KBA) has also commissioned an official pre-investigation into these issues with the Model Y vehicles. This preliminary evaluation is the first step in NHTSA's defect investigation process.
As the investigation continues, Tesla and its customers will be closely watching developments related to the electronic door handle issue.
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