Tesla’s Dangerous Door Design Can Trap People Inside

Safety Concerns & Design Flaws - Tesla's design of flush door handles, intended for better aerodynamics and noise reduction, has led to tragic consequences, including difficulties for occupants and first responders in emergency situations [3][4] - An 18-month-old girl was once trapped in a Tesla, highlighting the potential dangers of the door design [5] - J D Power's 2023 Initial Quality Study (IQS) indicated a record high number of problems per vehicle in the US market, with doors being a significant contributing factor [9][10] - Seven of the ten most problematic models in the J D Power study were EVs, suggesting a trend of copying Tesla's problematic door designs [11] Regulatory Scrutiny - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is gathering additional data from Tesla to determine if a full investigation into the door design is warranted [6] - While NHTSA receives numerous safety complaints, a formal probe into Tesla's door design has not been initiated as of yet [6][7] Industry Trend & Copycatting - Other EV makers have copied Tesla's door design, extending the potential safety issues beyond Tesla vehicles [7][8] - The industry's adoption of these new door designs is seen as unnecessary, as traditional door designs were functioning adequately without generating complaints [2][10]