The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into Tesla’s flagship Model Y on Tuesday following complaints that door malfunctions have reportedly left children trapped inside when parents were unable to open the doors from the outside.
The NHTSA stated that its preliminary investigation targets 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles, following nine reports of electronic door handles failing to operate due to low battery voltage.
The investigation currently involves approximately 174,000 vehicles, with the possibility of being extended to additional Tesla models.
NHTSA noted that its investigation centers on whether Tesla doors can be opened from the outside when the electronic locks fail, emphasizing that the risk is greatest in these situations due to the lack of a manual external release.
“The agency will continue to monitor any reports of entrapment involving opening doors from inside the vehicle,” NHTSA said in a document, adding it will “take further action as needed.”
Tesla first rolled out electronic door locks with the launch of its Model S in 2012, showcasing a sleek, integrated design that complements the car’s exterior, sparking safety concerns.
The probe into Tesla’s top-selling model comes after multiple reports over the past few years of door malfunctions that, in some cases, left drivers trapped inside burning vehicles after crashes and power failures.
Tesla is also under multiple NHTSA investigations related to Elon Musk’s claims about its driver-assistance systems, which have prompted thousands of customer complaints about sudden braking and unintended acceleration.
In March, Tesla also recalled over 46,000 Cybertrucks in the U.S. to fix an exterior trim panel that posed a risk of detaching during driving.
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