Breaking News: Tesla Faces NHTSA Probe Over Model 3 Emergency Door Handles

Federal auto safety regulators have opened a probe into the emergency releases in certain Tesla Model 3 vehicles, citing claims that the mechanical door release is hidden, unlabeled, and not intuitive to locate during an emergency. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is evaluating a petition filed by Kevin Clouse, a Tesla owner in Georgia, who says he was trapped in his vehicle in 2023 and requested a defect investigation.

The probe covers an estimated 179,071 Model 3 sedans from the 2022 model year. NHTSA has not decided whether to grant or deny the petition. Tesla and NHTSA did not immediately respond to requests for comment. This move expands on the federal examination of Tesla door problems following a monthslong investigation into the issue by Bloomberg, which uncovered a series of incidents in which people were severely injured or died after becoming trapped in their Teslas.

The NHTSA probe was initiated after a petition was filed by Kevin Clouse in 2023. The agency has not provided a timeline for when a decision will be made on the petition. The investigation is ongoing, and the agency will continue to evaluate the claims made by Clouse.

The immediate impact of this probe is that Tesla's Model 3 vehicles from the 2022 model year are under scrutiny. The company's emergency door releases are being questioned for their design and functionality. The NHTSA's investigation aims to determine whether the doors are defective and pose a risk to public safety.

The background context of this issue is that there have been several incidents in which people were trapped in their Teslas, resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. These incidents have raised concerns about the safety of Tesla's door design and functionality. The NHTSA's probe is a response to these concerns and aims to ensure that Tesla's vehicles meet the necessary safety standards.

What happens next is that the NHTSA will continue to evaluate the claims made by Clouse and determine whether to grant or deny the petition. If the petition is granted, the agency will proceed with a full investigation into the issue. If the petition is denied, Clouse may appeal the decision. The outcome of this probe will have significant implications for Tesla and the automotive industry as a whole.