Tesla might have to redesign their minimalist and problematic door handles.
Tesla is exploring changes to its door handle design following a U.S. safety probe into Model Y vehicles, Reuters reported. The move comes as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigates around 174,000 Model Y SUVs from the 2021 model year after reports that electronic door handles may fail to operate.
Making Door Releases More Intuitive
Speaking on a Bloomberg News podcast, Tesla’s longtime design chief Franz von Holzhausen revealed the company is considering combining electronic and manual door-release mechanisms, which are currently placed separately in its vehicles. According to von Holzhausen, the redesign is intended to make door handles more intuitive in “a panic situation.”
This is something many in the automotive media have also been pointing out and Tesla isn’t the only one guilty of such a poor design choice.
NHTSA Concerns About Safety
The NHTSA said on Tuesday that although Tesla vehicles include manual door releases inside, children may not be able to access or operate them, even if the driver is aware of their location. Reuters noted that the agency has received more than 140 consumer complaints since 2018 regarding Tesla doors getting stuck, not opening, or malfunctioning across multiple models. Tesla did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment, while the NHTSA declined to provide further details.
Global Regulatory Pressure
Bloomberg also reported that Tesla is monitoring discussions in China, where regulators are reportedly considering a ban on fully concealed door handles. Tesla’s signature flush door handles have long been a hallmark of its design but have drawn scrutiny over accessibility in emergencies.
Past Recalls Over Door Issues
This is not Tesla’s first challenge with door-related safety concerns. In 2023, Tesla recalled over 120,000 Model S and Model X vehicles in the United States due to risks of doors unlocking and opening during a crash, according to Reuters.
What’s Next for Tesla
The potential redesign underscores Tesla’s effort to address safety criticisms while maintaining its minimalist design ethos. With regulators in the U.S. and China closely watching, Tesla’s door handle strategy could set the tone for broader changes in EV safety design.
