The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into more than 174,000 Tesla Model Y vehicles from the 2021 model year following complaints that they were unable to gain entry into their vehicles due to electronic door handles can become inoperative.
The inquiry, opened on September 15, 2025 by the agency’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), comes after the agency received nine reports from owners unable to open exterior doors in certain situations.
According to the ODI summary, which you can find in full at the bottom of this article, four of the nine incidents led to parents breaking windows to gain access to their children inside the vehicle. While the Model Y is equipped with manual door releases inside the door pocket, children are often unable to reach or operate them.
The ODI Resume says preliminary findings suggest the problem stems from insufficient voltage reaching the electronic door locks. Repair invoices reviewed by ODI frequently listed the replacement of the 12-volt low-voltage battery as a corrective measure. However, none of the owners reported receiving a low-voltage warning prior to the failure.
Tesla’s owner manuals detail the procedures for restoring power to the electronic locks when the battery fails, requiring the application of an external 12-volt source at two access points under the hood. NHTSA says this method may not be widely known or practical for most drivers, particularly during urgent situations.
So far, no injuries, crashes, or fatalities have been linked to the reported failures. Nonetheless, NHTSA says the potential safety risks, particularly involving children, require an evaluation. The agency’s probe will examine both the design of the door locking system and the reliability of the supporting power supply.
The initial review is classified as a “Preliminary Evaluation,” which is the first step before a recall could be considered. If regulators determine the defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety, Tesla may be required to implement a fix.
Tesla is not alone in facing scrutiny over electronic and flush-style door handles. Critics have raised concerns about the safety of these designs, which improve aerodynamics but can complicate access in emergencies. Chinese regulators have even weighed potential restrictions on flush electronic handles.
Ford is also facing a potential class-action lawsuit in California over the Mach-E’s electronic door handles.
