A Bloomberg investigation has identified at least 15 deaths in Tesla vehicles where electronic doors failed to open following crashes, trapping occupants in burning cars. More than half of these incidents occurred since November 2024, prompting regulatory scrutiny. Tesla has responded by promoting new safety features and considering design changes.
A detailed Bloomberg investigation, published in late 2025, examined fatal electric vehicle crashes involving fire from 2012 to 2025. Using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for 2012-2023, supplemented by independent research for 2024 and 2025, the report reviewed thousands of police, fire, and autopsy reports, along with 911 calls, body-camera footage, and photographs. It identified at least 15 deaths across a dozen incidents where Tesla occupants or rescuers could not open the doors after crashes that led to fires.
The analysis highlights Tesla's flush-mounted electronic door handles, powered by the vehicle's 12-volt battery, which can fail if the battery dies in a crash. While around 70 U.S. models feature similar handles, Tesla accounts for the most complaints. Bloomberg notes the absence of comprehensive public statistics on such entrapments, making precise causation challenging in the chaotic post-crash moments.
More than half of the fatalities happened since November 2024, suggesting a worsening trend amid rising Tesla sales. In response, NHTSA opened an investigation on September 15, 2025, into Model Y door handles, requesting Tesla's records on complaints, crashes, injuries, and fires. Authorities in China and Europe are also eyeing regulatory changes.
Tesla has addressed concerns through a new website section, 'Safer Aftermath: Emergency Response,' stating that doors will automatically unlock after a serious collision is detected. However, a footnote clarifies this may not apply to all models or build dates, and older vehicles might lack it. Front doors include manual backup releases, though rear ones in some Model 3 and Y variants are absent or hard to locate—hidden under rugs or behind grilles.
Tesla's design chief told Bloomberg in September 2025 that the company is developing a redesign merging electric and mechanical mechanisms. The automaker has emphasized taking safety seriously and noted similar issues among competitors, though it did not comment directly on the latest report.