The Dangerous Door Handle Dilemma Leads To More Lawsuits Against Tesla - CleanTechnica

The article from CleanTechnica highlights growing legal challenges Tesla faces due to the design of its electric door handles, which have been implicated in fatal accidents. A recent lawsuit filed by the family of Krysta Tsukahara centers on a Cybertruck crash in November 2024, where the vehicle struck a tree, caught fire, and trapped four passengers inside, resulting in three deaths. The suit alleges that the Cybertruck’s door handle design—specifically the reliance on electrically operated handles with a manual release cable hidden beneath a door panel—prevented escape when power was lost. Rescue workers also struggled to access the vehicle due to the flush, locked doors. Tesla’s chief designer has acknowledged the issue and is reportedly working on integrating electronic and manual door release mechanisms to improve emergency usability. Tesla’s electric door handles, a signature feature praised for their sleekness, have come under scrutiny for safety concerns, including investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Critics argue that Tesla was aware of the entrapment