U.S. safety regulators are investigating a potential door handle malfunction on the 2021 Tesla Model Y that could prevent entry into the vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation has opened a Preliminary Evaluation covering roughly 174,000 Model Y SUVs in the United States after nine owners reported being unable to open doors from the outside.
Several complaints involved parents who had exited the vehicle and then couldn’t open the rear doors to reach their children. In about half of those cases, the owners said they had to break a window to get their kids out.
Early findings indicate the electronic door locks may fail to operate if the vehicle’s battery system isn’t supplying sufficient voltage. Notably, owners who reported the problem did not recall receiving a low-voltage battery warning before the failure. As part of the Preliminary Evaluation, investigators will assess how widespread and severe the issue is, the safety risks it may pose, Tesla’s method of powering the door locks, and the reliability of the power supply involved.
The investigation currently targets the 2021 model year. While no recall has been issued at this stage, a Preliminary Evaluation can progress to an Engineering Analysis and potentially a recall if a safety defect is confirmed.
Tesla vehicles can be repowered to restore door lock function, but the process is not straightforward and requires an external power source. There is also a manual door override, though it is only accessible from inside the cabin and depends on the occupant knowing how to use it.
What owners can do in the meantime:
– Review the owner’s manual to understand the interior emergency door releases.
– Ensure the 12-volt battery is in good health and consider proactive maintenance if advised by the manufacturer.
– Monitor official NHTSA communications for updates on the investigation.
This developing safety probe underscores the importance of reliable access mechanisms in vehicles with electronic door systems, particularly when child safety is involved.
