An investigative report by Bloomberg has revealed a controversial take on Tesla’s electronic doors that has raised alarm bells all around the world. The report has revealed a disturbing safety trend, stating that at least 15 people have died in Tesla vehicles because the electronic doors failed to open following a crash, and Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, was given a warning about the faulty design.
The investigation, which analysed data from 2012 through 2025, suggests that the very technology designed to make Tesla doors sleek and aerodynamic may be turning vehicles into “death traps” during emergencies.
Tesla’s electronic latch problem
Most Tesla models utilise electronic solenoids to release door latches rather than traditional mechanical cables. These systems rely on the car’s 12-volt battery to function. In a severe collision, this battery can be crushed or disconnected, instantly rendering the door buttons and exterior handles useless.
According to Bloomberg’s analysis:
– In many of the 15 cases identified, occupants reportedly survived the initial crash but were unable to escape before the vehicle was engulfed in flames.
– First responders and Good Samaritans frequently reported being unable to open the doors from the outside, even as they watched victims struggle within the cabin.
– More than half of these 15 fatalities have occurred since November 2024, indicating that as more Teslas hit the road, the frequency of these incidents is rising.
Tesla’s hidden manual release
The report states that Tesla vehicles do come equipped with manual emergency releases, but their design has come under heavy fire for being unintuitive.
- Front Seats: The release is a mechanical lever located near the window switches, but it is often unlabelled and can be confused with other controls in the panic of a fire.
- Rear Seats: In Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, the rear manual release is notoriously difficult to find — sometimes hidden under carpet tabs or inside door pockets — making it nearly impossible for a passenger to locate in a smoke-filled cabin.
Regulatory scrutiny and lawsuits
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a formal defect investigation in September 2025 following reports that door handles became inoperable due to low battery voltage. The probe specifically looks at incidents where parents were unable to reach children trapped in the back seats.
Simultaneously, Tesla is facing multiple wrongful death lawsuits. One recent filing in California involves a Cybertruck crash where the “armor glass” and electronic doors allegedly prevented three college students from escaping a fire.
Tesla’s team and CEO were notified about the faulty door design
The safety concerns are further compounded by a separate Bloomberg report alleging that Elon Musk and Tesla leadership were warned about these specific mechanical vulnerabilities years ago. Internal documents and testimonies from former engineers suggest that as early as 2017, safety teams raised red flags regarding the complexity of the hidden manual overrides and the total reliance on the 12-volt system.
According to the report, Musk reportedly dismissed these concerns, prioritising the “clean,” minimalist aesthetic of the interior and the aerodynamic benefits of flush-fitting exterior handles over traditional, failsafe mechanical designs. Critics argue that this design over safety philosophy directly contributed to the current crisis, as the company chose to keep the manual releases obscured to maintain the vehicles’ futuristic look.
Tesla’s response so far
While Tesla has not issued a formal comment on the Bloomberg report, the company recently launched a new safety page on its website. The page claims that Tesla vehicles are now designed to automatically unlock doors upon detecting a severe collision. However, the report notes it is unclear which older models receive this software update, or if it remains functional if the 12-volt battery is destroyed instantly on impact.
Tesla’s design chief has also indicated that future redesigns may combine the electronic and manual release mechanisms into a single, more intuitive handle.
