NHTSA Investigates Tesla Over Electric Door Handle Safety Concerns
In a recent development, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into Tesla, prompted by a report from Bloomberg. The investigation focuses on the potential safety risks associated with Tesla’s electric door handles, which may become inoperative when the vehicle’s low-voltage battery fails. This malfunction could present a critical safety hazard, potentially trapping passengers during emergency situations, such as vehicle accidents.
Tesla’s Response and Future Design Plans
Following these findings, Tesla has announced plans to redesign the contentious door handles. Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla’s head of design, discussed the issue on Bloomberg’s podcast, "Hot Pursuit!" He revealed that the company is contemplating a new door handle solution that merges both electronic and manual release mechanisms. “Integrating the electronic and manual systems into a single button is an idea we believe makes a lot of sense,” von Holzhausen stated. While he did not directly address the timing of the redesign, the ongoing federal investigation appears to be a significant factor influencing Tesla’s decision-making.
Ongoing Scrutiny by the NHTSA
This investigation by the NHTSA is not an isolated incident for Tesla. Earlier this year, the regulatory body also opened a separate inquiry into Tesla’s reporting practices concerning accidents involving its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features. Tesla attributed discrepancies in crash reporting to a system error, which the company claims has since been corrected. However, the NHTSA has confirmed that it will continue its examination into these reporting practices.
As Tesla navigates these challenges, the scrutiny from federal regulatory agencies underscores the critical importance of vehicle safety and transparency in reporting vehicle incidents. The forthcoming redesign of the door handles may provide a necessary solution to address these safety concerns and restore consumer confidence in Tesla’s innovative technologies.
