Tesla probed for potentially faulty door handles

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into Tesla Model Y SUVs due to reports that the vehicles' door handles can become inoperable in certain situations, preventing owners from entering their cars. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received nine complaints, with the most common issue involving parents unable to open rear doors to remove children. In four instances, owners resorted to breaking windows to regain access. This probe follows a Bloomberg report highlighting cases where Tesla occupants were trapped inside vehicles after crashes. Preliminary findings suggest that the door handle failures may be linked to insufficient voltage from the vehicle’s battery system, although none of the affected owners reported low-voltage battery warnings. Tesla vehicles do feature manual door releases located inside the car, but these are reportedly difficult for children to reach and some owners are unaware of their existence. Restoring power to the electronic door locks requires a complex, multi-step process involving an external power source. Tesla has not yet commented on the