Some complaints argue that children are trapped in the back seat and can only be released by breaking the window.
Released on September 16, 2025
Automobile safety regulators have launched an investigation into possible defects in Tesla doors, where parents reportedly saw their children trapped in the back seat breaking windows and removing them.
On Tuesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the preliminary investigation was focusing on the 2021 TESLA model YS after receiving nine reports that electronic door handles became inoperable, possibly due to low battery voltage.
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The company, run by billionaire Elon Musk, has installed manual door releases inside the vehicle, but the NHTSA pointed out that children may not be able to reach or know how to operate the release. In four cases, parents had to break the window to get inside.
Research into Tesla’s most popular models comes after many reported incidents in recent years of opening Tesla doors, sometimes locking drivers in the wake of accidents and loss of power.
In April, a college basketball recruit said he was “time for a fight” trying to get out of the Tesla cybertruck, which he set fire to after crashing into a tree and unable to open the door.
University of Southern California athlete Alija Arenas said he was induced to temporary coma after the accident and continued to live with a bottle of water when smoke filled the vehicle.
The NHTSA said the investigation is only focused on the maneuverability of electronic door locks from the outside of the vehicle rather than inside, as it is the only example of no manual method of opening the door. But it also said it would continue to monitor reports of people stuck inside, keeping track of what it calls “confinement” and taking further action when necessary.
Current institutional surveys cover approximately 174,300 medium-sized SUVs.
Low voltage battery
The agency said that if the electronic door lock receives insufficient voltage from the vehicle, an incident appears to occur. The available repair bills said indicate that the battery was replaced after such an incident occurred. None of the people reporting the incident saw a low-voltage battery warning before the external door handle became inoperable.
The NHTSA said its preliminary assessment would consider the scope and severity of the conditions, including risks arising from the reported conditions.
The agency’s research also assesses the approach Tesla uses to power door locks and the reliability of the applicable power source.
Despite the investigation, Tesla stocks are still rising on Wall Street. As of 2pm (18:00 GMT) in New York, it’s up about 2%.
