Tesla Door Design Could Prompt EU Approval Revisions, NHTSA Probe and China Push for Mechanical Overrides

• Flush door handles can become inoperable during power loss, creating entrapment and emergency-responder access issues.

• Regulators including the Dutch RDW and U.S. NHTSA have launched reviews; China proposes mandatory mechanical releases for passenger cars.

• Tesla faces concurrent legal and corporate governance developments, including a Delaware appeal over a $56 billion pay package and a $25 billion fallback plan.

Tesla door handle safety: EU regulators and NHTSA probe flush-handle failures after power-loss incidents — read COINOTAG’s concise analysis and next steps.

Published: 2025-10-16 | Updated: 2025-10-16 | Author: COINOTAG

How does Tesla door handle safety affect emergency access?

Tesla door handle safety concerns center on flush electronic handles that may not operate during a power failure, potentially trapping occupants and obstructing first responders. Regulators and safety agencies are now reviewing approval rules to ensure doors remain operable from inside and outside even when vehicle power is lost.

What are regulators doing about flush door handles?

European regulators led by the Dutch Vehicle Authority (RDW) have begun revising approval criteria for Tesla vehicles sold across the EU after reports of occupants trapped when door handles failed during battery or power loss. The RDW said updates are needed where existing rules do not address modern electronic and flush-handle designs. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a probe focused on Model Y handles to assess whether the design violates federal safety standards.

China’s safety regulators are proposing a nationwide requirement that all passenger cars include mechanical door releases operable from inside and outside, a direct response to flush-handle designs used by Tesla and several local automakers. The RDW identified emergency access during power loss as “a key priority” for Euro NCAP and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which are reviewing test procedures and approval standards. In a statement reported by Bloomberg, the RDW emphasized, “Doors must always be operable, from the inside by occupants and from the outside by emergency responders, even in the event of a power failure.”

On the manufacturer side, Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla’s longtime design chief, told Bloomberg the company is “working on making its door handles more intuitive to use,” though he provided no technical timeline. Plain-text references: Bloomberg, RDW, NHTSA, Euro NCAP, UNECE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will regulators force Tesla to add mechanical door releases to existing models?

Regulatory action depends on probe results and rule changes. The RDW and NHTSA reviews could lead to mandatory design or retrofit requirements if tests show a systemic safety risk. Any forced remedy or recall would follow official determinations by safety agencies and applicable approval frameworks.

How can I open a Tesla door if the power is off?

Some vehicles include manual emergency releases; procedures vary by model. If you encounter a power-loss scenario, follow manufacturer emergency instructions, and alert first responders. Ongoing regulation proposals aim to make mechanical overrides standard in future vehicles.

Key Takeaways

• Immediate safety concern: Flush electronic door handles have been reported to fail during power loss, creating entrapment risks for occupants and access problems for emergency crews.
• Regulatory response: The Dutch RDW, U.S. NHTSA, Euro NCAP, and UNECE are reviewing approval rules and test protocols; China proposes mandatory mechanical releases for passenger cars.
• Corporate context: The regulatory scrutiny comes while Tesla pursues a Delaware appeal over a $56 billion executive compensation plan; the company has already implemented a $25 billion backup package and is discussing a larger incentive structure.

Conclusion

Tesla door handle safety is now a cross-border regulatory priority, driven by real-world reports and formal probes from the RDW and NHTSA, along with policy proposals in China. Authorities and testing bodies are updating rules to ensure doors remain operable during power loss, while Tesla says it is working on design improvements. COINOTAG will continue monitoring official agency findings and manufacturer responses; readers should follow regulatory updates and safety notices from authorities such as RDW and NHTSA for confirmed guidance.