U.S. Safety Regulators Open Probe into Tesla Model Y Door Handles After Reports of Children Trapped

U.S. safety regulators have opened a formal investigation into electric door handles on Tesla’s 2021 Model Y after reports that the handles suddenly stopped working and left children trapped inside vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Tuesday it has received nine complaints tied to the power-operated handles on Model Y vehicles. In four incidents, vehicle owners said they resorted to breaking a window to free occupants. The probe is an initial step that could lead to a recall.

NHTSA’s preliminary review found the problem appeared to occur when the electric locks received insufficient voltage. The regulator said owners who reported the incidents — most of whom said they were parents trying to remove children from back seats after leaving the car — reported no warning of battery problems before the door handles failed. "In these instances, an occupant who remains inside a vehicle in this condition may be unable to be rapidly retrieved by persons outside of the vehicle," the agency said. It added that entrapment is especially concerning in emergencies, "such as when children are entraped in a hot vehicle."

The investigation will examine roughly 170,000 Model Y vehicles to determine the scope and severity of the issue. Tesla did not immediately comment on the probe.

Although Tesla’s doors can be opened from inside the vehicle using manual mechanisms, NHTSA said children may be unable to reach or access those manual handles, which increases the risk of entrapment. The agency will review vehicle data, owner complaints and other evidence to determine whether a safety-related defect exists and whether a recall is warranted.

The latest inquiry adds to an array of safety reviews the automaker has faced. NHTSA has previously opened investigations into Tesla’s driver-assistance systems. The probe into the electric door handles follows a series of high-profile regulatory and legal actions that have focused on Tesla’s technology and safety systems.

The potential safety issue comes as Tesla confronts slowing demand and intensifying competition in the electric-vehicle market. Deliveries for the company are expected to fall for the second consecutive year, and Tesla’s U.S. market share declined to an almost eight-year low in August, according to Reuters reporting citing data from research firm Cox Automotive. CEO Elon Musk has shifted more of the company’s focus toward robotaxis and humanoid robots, but Tesla remains heavily dependent on its core car business.

Consumer sentiment has also been affected by controversy surrounding Musk, including criticism of his ties to political figures, a factor that analysts and some industry observers say has had a dampening effect on sales. In addition, Tesla has faced challenges attracting buyers with lower-priced models after the launch of a new Model Y variant earlier this year.

NHTSA’s opening of a probe does not itself determine that a defect exists, but it authorizes the agency to gather and analyze information that could lead to further action. If NHTSA’s review concludes the power door-handle issue represents a safety defect, the agency could compel a recall requiring Tesla to provide remedies at no cost to owners.

The investigation will proceed as NHTSA examines the complaints and the affected vehicles. The agency has said it will provide further details as its review continues.