Tesla is redesigning its door handles following safety probe, Bloomberg investigation
TeslaTesla(US:TSLA) TechCrunch·2025-09-17 20:23

Core Viewpoint - Tesla is redesigning its door handles to enhance safety and prevent occupants from being trapped inside the vehicles following incidents reported to the NHTSA [1][3]. Group 1: Safety Concerns - The NHTSA has opened an investigation into Tesla's door handles after receiving nine complaints from owners regarding failures [3]. - Issues identified include the reliance on electronic locks that may fail without battery power and the difficulty in accessing manual door releases [3]. Group 2: Design Changes - Tesla's chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, indicated that the company is working on a solution that combines electronic and manual door releases into a single button [3]. - The decision to rethink door handle design aligns with safety concerns raised in China, although no final regulatory action has been taken there [2].