Core Points - Tesla is under investigation by U.S. federal auto safety regulators regarding potential safety defects related to its retractable door handles [1][2] - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received multiple complaints from Tesla owners about issues with entering and exiting their vehicles due to door handle malfunctions [2] - Reports indicate that some Tesla Model Y vehicles from the 2021 model year have experienced inoperative door handles due to low 12VDC battery voltage [3] Group 1 - Tesla has been ordered to provide records to comply with a federal investigation into safety defects [1] - The NHTSA initiated a probe in September after receiving complaints about door handle functionality [2] - Complaints include incidents where children were trapped inside vehicles, necessitating emergency interventions [2] Group 2 - As of October 27, 2025, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigations reported 16 cases of door handles becoming inoperative in certain 2021 Model Y vehicles [3]