Tesla owner complaints rise in US door-handle probe

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received additional complaints about Tesla Model Y door handles failing, days after it launched an investigation into the issue in mid-September.

The probe follows reports that low-voltage battery failures rendered exterior door handles inoperative, with some incidents involving children trapped inside the vehicles.

NHTSA’s request to Tesla, outlined in an October 27 letter, seeks details on consumer complaints, as well as any reports of crashes, injuries, deaths, and related lawsuits or arbitration.

The investigation covers 2021 Model Ys and also includes 2017-2022 Model 3 sedans and 2020 and 2022 Model Y SUVs.

Since the probe began, NHTSA has collected at least seven more complaints, including cases where children were unable to be retrieved or were trapped for extended periods in hot conditions.

Tesla is required to respond to the regulator by December 10.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reviews 174,290 Model Y (2021) over exterior door-handle failures; wider review underway

NHTSA opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE25010) on 174,290 Model Y SUVs from 2021 1. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA’s vehicle-defect unit, logged nine reports of door handles that would not work 1.
The preliminary review finds the locks can stop working when the 12-volt battery sends too little voltage 1. Many owners did not get a low-voltage alert from the battery management system (software that monitors battery health and power delivery) before the failure 1.
Scope now includes 2021 Model Y SUVs, 2017–2022 Model 3 sedans, plus 2020 and 2022 Model Y SUVs. The low-voltage door lock problem may run across Tesla’s platform architecture (shared vehicle design, electronics) since Model Y shares about 75% of components with Model 3 2.

Aftermarket opening for proactive 12-volt battery checks

Service shops and tech startups can pitch proactive 12-volt battery health checks and replacements to Tesla owners, especially families with young children. These are aftermarket offerings (services sold after the initial vehicle purchase).
Model Y logged 1.2 million deliveries in 2023 3 with a 32.9% share 4. Owners of 2020–2022 vehicles are nearing the 3–5 year 12-volt replacement window.
Fleet operators that run Teslas face added risk if doors will not open during service. Business-to-business (B2B) battery management contracts can cut downtime and lower liability from trapped passengers.