A shocking development has emerged in the world of automotive safety, with Tesla now facing a major federal investigation over its door handle design. This comes as a result of a series of incidents where people have become trapped inside their Teslas, leading to injuries and, in some tragic cases, even death.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has ordered Tesla to provide records and comply with an extensive probe into the safety of its flush-mounted, retractable door handles. The issue came to light after a Bloomberg report highlighted the dangers, and now the agency is taking action.
But here's where it gets controversial: Tesla isn't the only one facing scrutiny. Its competitors, like Rivian, are also rethinking their approach to door handle design. Even Volkswagen's CEO has spoken out, saying their customers aren't interested in flush-mounted handles, and they have no plans to adopt such a design.
And this is the part most people miss: China is set to implement new vehicle safety standards specifically targeting door handles. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has released draft standards, which include a focus on emergency release mechanisms that are more visible and easier to use.
The NHTSA's probe is extensive, seeking records on all Tesla Model Y vehicles from 2021 and even 'peer vehicles' like the Model 3 and Model Y from 2017 to 2022. They want information on door handle systems, latches, batteries, software, and more.
Tesla has until December 10th to provide these records, but if they fail to comply or provide incomplete information, they could face significant fines. The agency has warned of penalties of up to $139,356,994 for non-compliance.
This story is a reminder of the importance of automotive safety and the potential consequences when design choices fall short. With the spotlight now on door handle safety, it will be interesting to see how Tesla and other automakers respond and whether we'll see a shift in industry standards. What are your thoughts on this developing story? Do you think the door handle design is a critical safety issue, or is it being blown out of proportion? We'd love to hear your opinions in the comments!
