By William Gavin
The NHTSA has launched an investigation into the doors of Tesla's Model 3 EVs after a consumer petition alleged they may not be safe in an emergency
Tesla's Model 3 sedan is the focus of the latest regulatory investigation into the Austin, Texas-based electric vehicle maker.
Tesla is facing a fresh investigation from U.S. automotive-safety regulators over concerns that it may be difficult to unlatch the doors of some Model 3 sedans in the case of an emergency.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the probe is focused on 179,071 model-year 2022 electric vehicles. The Tesla Model 3 is one of the Austin, Texas-based company's (TSLA) most popular vehicles and, along with the Model Y SUV, accounts for most of its sales.
The NHTSA said its investigation comes after it received a consumer petition alleging the mechanical door release on the 2022 Model 3 is hidden, unlabeled and &#34;not intuitive&#34; during an emergency. It was filed by Kevin Clouse of Georgia, who was trapped in his Model 3 during a 2023 crash and was forced to kick out a window to escape.
&#34;It's terrifying,&#34; Clouse recently told Bloomberg News. &#34;You're in a box that's on fire and you can't get out.&#34;
Tesla's stock fell 0.5% in recent morning trading on Wednesday. It was trading 1.4% below its Dec. 16 record close of $489.88.
Tesla's vehicles primarily use electronic door latches that are opened by pressing a button. Although manual door releases are included in its cars, their placement can vary by model and year. That can make finding them difficult in emergencies.
At least 15 people have died over the past decade in incidents where occupants or rescuers were unable to open the doors of a crashed Tesla that had caught fire, Bloomberg reported on Monday.
Last month, Tesla was sued over a crash involving a 2016 Model S sedan that resulted in the deaths of two passengers. The lawsuit alleged that faulty doors prevented passengers from escaping.
In September, the NHTSA said it would investigate after inoperable door handles on 2021 Model Y SUVs required some parents to break through car windows to re-enter their vehicles and get children out. Regulators in China and Germany are also reportedly scrutinizing Tesla's door handles and considering rule changes.
Tesla's design chief, Franz von Holzhausen, told Bloomberg in September that Tesla was looking into combining its electronic and manual door-release mechanisms to make navigating a &#34;panic situation&#34; easier.
Last week, the company added a page to its website, saying the doors of its vehicles will automatically unlock and emergency services will be contacted if a &#34;serious collision&#34; is detected. However, Tesla noted that certain features may not be available in all regions or vehicles.
In addition to the NHTSA's investigation into Tesla's door handles, the regulator is probing the company's advanced driver-assistance system over alleged violations of traffic-safety laws.
-William Gavin
This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones &amp; Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
12-24-25 0957ET

TSLA

TSDD

TSLL

TSLQ

09366

07766

07366

TSLR

<p>The NHTSA is investigating Tesla's Model 3 doors after a petition claimed they may be unsafe in emergencies. The probe covers 179,071 model-year 2022 vehicles. Concerns include hidden manual door releases, leading to safety issues during crashes. Tesla's stock fell 0.5% amid the scrutiny. The company is considering design changes to improve emergency access. Regulators in China and Germany are also examining Tesla's door mechanisms.</p>

- The NHTSA has initiated an investigation into Tesla's Model 3 EV doors following a consumer petition claiming they may pose safety risks during emergencies.  
- The probe targets 179,071 model-year 2022 vehicles and is spurred by an incident where a petitioner was trapped in a car after a crash.  
- Tesla's stock has reacted negatively, and the company is also under scrutiny regarding its advanced driver-assistance systems.

Tesla is facing fresh government scrutiny over its controversial doors