Tesla is fighting a lawsuit in Texas over allegations that defective Model Y door handles prevented rescuers from helping a passenger trapped in a burning vehicle. The lawsuit comes as regulators in both the U.S. and China are raising concerns over the safety of electronic and flush-style handles that have become a hallmark of Tesla and other electric vehicles (EVs).
The lawsuit was filed by Susmita Maddi, who was a passenger in a December 2023 crash in Leesburg, Virginia. Maddi’s husband, who was driving a 2023 Model Y, suffered a medical emergency and collided with a utility pole. The vehicle caught fire, and bystanders allegedly could not open the passenger door due to malfunctioning electronic handles.
Maddi suffered burns and other injuries, and the complaint claims the Model Y was “defective and unreasonably dangerous.”
Tesla, however, has called the case “baseless.” The automaker says Maddi’s purchase contract included a binding arbitration clause, and is not allowed to sue the automaker. Additionally, Tesla also points out that Texas law does not impose a post-sale duty to warn about alleged defects and argues that the vehicle complied with all federal and state safety standards at the time it was built. As a result, the company is asking for the lawsuit to be dismissed. (via Car Complaints)
If the case is not dismissed, the company is seeking a jury trial, saying that any injuries were caused by negligent acts outside its control, including the driver’s medical emergency.
The lawsuit comes as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a probe into more than 174,000 Model Y vehicles from the 2021 model year. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received nine complaints of inoperative exterior door handles, including four incidents where parents had to break windows to reach children inside.
Concerns over electronic handles are not limited to North America. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) recently issued draft safety standards that would require all passenger vehicles to have mechanical release mechanisms accessible both inside and outside the doors.
Tesla has acknowledged these concerns, with Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen confirming the company is working on a redesign to improve emergency accessibility.
