U.S. safety officials are moving to set fresh regulations after a spate of accidents where drivers and passengers became trapped by flush, electronic door handles. If adopted, all manufacturers, including Tesla, will need to add a manual emergency release.

Key Takeaways

  • New rules would require a manual emergency release on all vehicles
  • Tesla’s flush handles have already been linked to multiple entrapment incidents
  • NHTSA chose rulemaking over a defect investigation

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it will begin rulemaking to address safety concerns surrounding flush, electronically‑operated door handles like those on Tesla models. The move follows fatal and non‑fatal incidents where occupants, sometimes with children inside, could not exit the vehicle.

Historical Background

The process was triggered by a petition demanding an investigation into the 2022 Tesla Model 3’s emergency mechanical door release, arguing it violated federal motor‑vehicle standards. NHTSA declined the defect probe, stating that a rulemaking approach would better resolve the systemic issue.

Initial NHTSA reviews found that the electronic locks sometimes fail to receive enough voltage from the battery, rendering the handles inoperable. Tesla’s designer Franz von Holzhausen confirmed last year that a redesign is underway, while Rivian has already moved its manual release to a more visible spot on its R2 SUV.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that a uniform emergency‑release requirement will push automakers to prioritize passenger safety over sleek design, potentially reshaping interior ergonomics across the industry.

“Every vehicle should have a reliable manual emergency release, regardless of its electronic features,” says automotive safety expert Dr. Anita Rao.
Did You Know?: The first NHTSA alert on this issue came after a 2018 Model X incident where a child was trapped inside for over an hour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the new rule apply to all car manufacturers? Yes, once finalized, any automaker selling vehicles in the United States will need to comply with the emergency‑release standard.

Has Tesla already released a new door‑handle design? No, Tesla has not yet unveiled a revised handle, though the company confirmed that a redesign is in progress.