Federal Regulators Investigate Faulty Tesla Model Y Door Handles
Federal safety regulators are investigating approximately 174,300 2021 Tesla Model Y SUVs for faulty electronic door handles, which have reportedly trapped occupants, including children, inside the vehicles.
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Overview
- Federal safety regulators, including the NHTSA and the Office of Defects Investigation, have launched a probe into Tesla.
- The investigation targets faulty electronic door handles on approximately 174,300 2021 Tesla Model Y SUVs.
- Concerns arose from reports of inoperable door handles, potentially trapping occupants, particularly children, inside the vehicles.
- The issue stems from electronic locks receiving insufficient voltage, preventing the doors from opening manually or electronically.
- Nine reports of inoperable handles have been received, with four instances where parents had to break windows to free trapped children.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by presenting the door handle investigation as part of a broader pattern of safety concerns and corporate challenges. They connect the current probe to a history of severe incidents, expand the narrative to include other NHTSA investigations, and incorporate details about Tesla's sales decline and Elon Musk's controversial political activities, collectively portraying a company under significant scrutiny.
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FAQ
They are investigating faulty electronic door handles that can become inoperative, potentially trapping occupants inside the vehicle.
Approximately 174,300 Tesla Model Y SUVs from the 2021 model year are under investigation.
The preliminary review indicates the failures stem from electronic locks receiving insufficient voltage, particularly related to the vehicle’s low-voltage battery.
The failure can trap occupants inside the vehicle; reports included situations where parents had to break windows to free children.
As of the latest reports, Tesla has not publicly commented on the NHTSA investigation.
History
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