The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation into the emergency door release mechanisms of Tesla's Model 3 vehicles, citing concerns that they are hidden and hard to access in emergencies. The probe, which covers about 179,000 model-year 2022 vehicles, follows a complaint involving a fire where the owner escaped through the rear window. This scrutiny comes amid broader safety questions about Tesla's door designs linked to past fatal crashes.
On December 23, 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Defects Investigation opened Defect Petition DP25002 into Tesla's Model 3 sedans. The inquiry targets the mechanical door release system, described in the filing as "hidden, unlabeled, and not intuitive to locate during an emergency." It affects an estimated 179,071 model-year 2022 vehicles and stems from one complaint detailing an incident with a crash or fire, resulting in one injury. The owner reported being trapped and escaping via the rear window.
This probe expands on prior concerns about Tesla's electronic door handles, which can fail post-crash due to power loss. A Bloomberg report highlighted cases where people were injured or killed after becoming trapped in Teslas. The NHTSA is also evaluating about 174,290 Model Y vehicles for similar issues with electronic door handles becoming inoperative.
Tesla's door designs have faced legal challenges. In November 2024, families sued over a Model S crash in which five occupants died after the vehicle struck a tree and caught fire, allegedly trapping them due to failed electronic systems. Another lawsuit involves two college students killed in a November 2024 Cybertruck crash in a San Francisco suburb, where they were reportedly locked inside the burning vehicle.
The announcement contributed to a dip in Tesla's stock during the December 24 session, closing around $485.40 after hitting an intraday high of $498.83 earlier. Despite declining sales—European deliveries down nearly 39% through November 2025 and global projections for a 7.7% full-year drop—Tesla's shares remain elevated, buoyed by optimism over robotaxi and autonomy developments. Analysts are split, with some raising price targets to $600 citing long-term growth, while others forecast Q4 deliveries as low as 415,000 vehicles.
Tesla has not commented on the investigation, which could lead to further action if defects are confirmed but does not guarantee a recall.
