Tesla's Door Mechanisms Under Scrutiny After Fatal Crashes, Lawsuits
Tesla faces mounting safety concerns and legal challenges over its door mechanisms. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating cases where drivers couldn't open doors, including a fatal crash that claimed the lives of two teenagers.
In November 2024, a Tesla crash claimed the lives of Krysta Tsukahara and Jack Nelson, along with the intoxicated driver. The parents allege that a design flaw trapped their children inside as the car burned. The issue lies in the battery-powered unlocking mechanism, which can fail in a fire, and the manual releases being hard to find.
The NHTSA is probing similar incidents, including cases where parents couldn't open back doors to rescue children. Some had to break windows. Tesla employees and safety engineers knew about the defect but internal failures delayed action. Production goals and regulatory reporting were prioritized over safety.
A Florida jury recently awarded $240 million to the family of a college student killed by a runaway Tesla. The parents of Tsukahara and Nelson claim Tesla knew about the door flaw for years but didn't fix it promptly.
The door mechanism issues have led to investigations, lawsuits, and tragic consequences. Tesla has not yet commented on the lawsuits. As the NHTSA continues its probe, safety advocates urge Tesla to address the door flaw promptly to prevent further tragedies.
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