The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) intends to mandate easier methods of egress in all vehicles. The agency is developing new rules and requirements regarding occupant safety that will apply to all automakers certifying cars for sale in the US.
The NHTSA is assessing whether further rules are needed regarding door handle safety. This evaluation follows several crashes where doors could not be opened. The agency also stated it would begin working on rules concerning interior door releases in all vehicles.
Number of people reported to have died in Tesla crashes where doors would not open, according to Bloomberg reporting late last year.
Investigations and petitions
The NHTSA has its own investigation into Tesla regarding complaints about an inability to enter the vehicle, including instances where a child or elderly family member was trapped inside.
A petition was submitted to the NHTSA to examine the emergency operation on the 2022 Tesla Model 3, with arguments that it did not comply with existing federal standards. The NHTSA has denied this petition regarding the 2022 Tesla Model 3 emergency operation.
Tesla's lead designer Franz von Holzhausen indicated the company was reworking door handle designs.