Tesla says it’s working on redesigning its door handles to make them safer, after multiple reports of passengers being trapped inside the company’s cars.
Chief designer Franz von Holzhausen told Bloomberg on Wednesday that Tesla is considering combining the electronic and manual release systems into one button. The goal: to reduce confusion and prevent situations where people can’t exit the car.
The update comes just a day after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into the handles, and a week after a Bloomberg report detailed cases where Tesla passengers were stuck following crashes.
Two key issues have been raised:
- Tesla’s electronic locks can fail if the car’s battery loses power.
- The cars have manual door releases, but they’re often hard to find and access.
According to NHTSA, it received nine complaints from owners about door handle failures. In four cases, people had to break a window to escape.
Tesla’s manuals do include instructions on using external power to unlock the doors, but regulators say most drivers would not have recognized the problem beforehand, since none reported receiving low-voltage warnings.
Related: Tesla Moves to Overturn $243 Million Autopilot Verdict After Fatal Crash
China has already pressured automakers to rethink fully concealed handles, citing safety concerns, though regulators there haven’t yet mandated a change.
For Tesla, the redesign could be a crucial fix to restore driver confidence in one of its most recognizable, but increasingly controversial, design features.
