Tesla is making changes to its vehicle door handles following increased scrutiny from regulators regarding safety concerns. In a recent interview on Bloomberg’s Hot Pursuit podcast, Tesla’s design chief Franz von Holzhausen revealed plans for a redesign of the door handles.
The redesign will involve combining the electronic and manual door-release mechanisms, which are currently located in separate areas inside the cabin, into a single control. Von Holzhausen explained that merging the two mechanisms into one button makes sense and is something the company is actively working on. This change aims to make Tesla’s door handles more intuitive in emergency situations, allowing occupants to easily trigger a mechanical door release by pulling slightly further on the lever.
The decision to update the door handles comes as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launches an investigation into potential defects with Tesla’s doors, specifically focusing on approximately 174,290 Model Y SUVs from the 2021 model year. The probe will look into incidents where exterior door handles failed, preventing occupants from exiting the vehicle, which in some cases resulted in injuries or fatalities.
Tesla’s door handles have been associated with a series of incidents reported to the NHTSA since 2018, including complaints of doors getting stuck, not opening, or malfunctioning. In response to the investigation, Tesla is preparing to make necessary changes to comply with regulations, particularly in China where stricter rules around fully flush door handles are being considered, and in Europe where post-crash rescue protocols are being improved.
This is not the first time Tesla’s door handles have come under regulatory scrutiny. In 2022, South Korean police investigated complaints about safety risks posed by Tesla’s concealed, flush door handles, although the case was eventually dropped.
Overall, Tesla’s efforts to redesign its door handles reflect a commitment to improving safety standards and addressing concerns raised by regulators and consumers. The company’s focus on enhancing the functionality and reliability of its door mechanisms underscores its dedication to innovation and continuous improvement in vehicle design.