Parents Break Tesla Windows to Free Children Trapped Inside, US Launches Investigation | Carscoops

      Tesla is currently under investigation by the NHTSA regarding failures of the door handles on the 2021 Model Y, which are associated with low-voltage battery issues.

      The NHTSA is looking into around 174,000 Model Ys due to reports of malfunctioning rear door handles, with nine incidents involving parents being unable to access their children who were inside the vehicle.

      The problems appear to originate from failures in the low-voltage battery, with drivers receiving no prior warnings.

      Parents of young children have raised serious concerns regarding the 2021 Tesla Model Y, with some reports to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stating that they had to break their own windows to rescue kids trapped inside.

      These reports are part of a total of nine claims regarding non-functional rear doors. The NHTSA is now assessing whether a recall is necessary due to potential safety risks linked to these door handles.

      On Tuesday, the NHTSA announced a preliminary investigation involving approximately 174,000 units of the 2021 Model Y. The complaints focus specifically on the malfunctioning rear door handles. While there are manual release mechanisms available inside the vehicle, young children are typically unable to operate them.

      According to the agency, parents reported that after exiting the vehicle, they found that the rear doors had stopped working due to a loss of power. The NHTSA report highlights that "entrapment in a vehicle is especially alarming in emergency situations, such as when children are left in a hot car."

      Importantly, the incidents being investigated do not show any evidence that the vehicles provided warnings about low-voltage issues.

      The preliminary investigation report states, “Based on ODI’s initial assessment, this issue seems to occur when the electronic door locks do not receive adequate voltage from the vehicle.” Repair invoices indicate that the low-voltage battery was replaced after these incidents, but no vehicle owner questionnaires reported any low-voltage battery warning before the door handles failed.

      This investigation is an initial step towards a possible recall and adds to the increasing number of safety inquiries of this nature in recent years. Tesla has faced various complaints regarding safety, ranging from design issues to concerns related to Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features. Other manufacturers are also being scrutinized, both in the U.S. and globally.

      Ford has also experienced problems with electronic door systems. The Mustang Mach-E was involved in a lawsuit that prompted NHTSA intervention, resulting in a recall and a stop-sale order. Ford's solution included a software update to provide clearer alerts when the low-voltage battery is low. It remains to be seen if Tesla will implement a similar approach.