US Regulators Consider New Safety Rules for Electronic Car Door Handles After Trapping Incidents

U.S. safety regulators are initiating a process that could lead to new requirements for automakers to ensure that drivers and passengers can safely exit their vehicles, particularly during electrical power failures. The move comes amid growing concern over flush, electronically operated door handles — the kind popularized by Tesla — that have been linked to incidents where people became trapped inside their cars, sometimes with fatal consequences.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) outlined the new rule-making process in a regulatory filing, which was first reported by Bloomberg. The agency's decision follows a petition that specifically called for a safety defect investigation into the emergency mechanical door release design on the 2022 Tesla Model 3. The petition argued that the door release mechanism does not comply with existing federal motor vehicle standards.

NHTSA Chooses Rulemaking Over Defect Investigation

While the petitioners had asked NHTSA to open a formal safety defect investigation, the agency declined to take that specific action. Instead, NHTSA determined that the issue would be more appropriately addressed through the rulemaking process, which has the potential to establish standards that apply across the entire automotive industry rather than targeting a single manufacturer or model.

In an emailed statement, the agency explained its rationale: "NHTSA received a petition for rulemaking to require an emergency door egress system to address the risk of occupant entrapment in vehicles during electrical power failures, and the agency granted that petition."

However, NHTSA was careful to emphasize that initiating the rulemaking process does not guarantee that new regulations will ultimately be adopted. "Granting a rulemaking petition is not a decision by NHTSA to issue a new safety standard, but commences the process of gathering input to make an informed decision," the agency stated. NHTSA plans to gather additional information and data, as well as solicit public comments, to determine whether a new safety standard is appropriate under the Vehicle Safety Act.

History of Trapped Occupant Incidents

The decision arrives less than a year after NHTSA opened a separate investigation into Tesla's door handles. That probe was triggered after the agency received nine reports from Tesla owners who were unable to get into their vehicles, with some incidents involving children still inside the cars. The investigation followed an earlier report by Bloomberg that documented multiple cases in which Tesla drivers and passengers found themselves trapped inside their vehicles following a crash.

Although Tesla vehicles are equipped with manual door releases, these mechanisms are located only inside the car. An initial review by NHTSA investigators revealed that the handles may fail to function properly if the electronic door locks do not receive sufficient voltage from the vehicle's battery system. This finding raises concerns about what happens when a vehicle's electrical system is compromised, such as after a collision or during a power failure.

Automakers Begin Addressing the Issue

The automotive industry has already begun responding to these safety concerns. Tesla designer Franz von Holzhausen acknowledged last year that the company was working on a redesign of its door handles. Meanwhile, electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian announced that it would be modifying the interior door handle design on its upcoming R2 SUV. The change is intended to place the manual release in a more visible and accessible location, positioned closer to the electrically powered door handles.

If NHTSA ultimately adopts new safety standards through this rulemaking process, all automakers — not just Tesla — would be required to comply. This could reshape how vehicle entry and exit systems are designed across the industry, particularly as more manufacturers adopt sleek, electronically controlled door mechanisms that prioritize aesthetics over traditional mechanical accessibility.

The outcome of NHTSA's information-gathering phase remains uncertain, but the agency's decision to pursue rulemaking signals a recognition that the transition to electronic door systems may have outpaced existing safety regulations. As vehicles become increasingly dependent on electronic systems for basic functions, ensuring that occupants can always exit safely — even when power fails — is emerging as a critical safety priority.

What do you think about electronic door handles in modern vehicles? Have you ever experienced difficulty opening a car door due to an electronic system failure? Share this article and join the conversation about automotive safety standards.

Source: TechCrunch