Concerns over Tesla’s electronically controlled doors are driving some owners to buy emergency escape tools, following incidents in which passengers were unable to exit vehicles after power failures.
In May, Erin Geter’s toddler son became trapped inside her Tesla when the vehicle’s electric doors lost power. Within weeks, the 39-year-old from Huntersville, North Carolina, replaced the electric vehicle with a Honda CR‑V, citing safety concerns.
“I was very traumatized,” Geter said, explaining that she now prefers traditional mechanical door handles when transporting her children.
Owners Turn to Glass Breakers and Manual Release Aids
Geter’s experience reflects a broader trend among Tesla owners who are preparing for scenarios they never expected—being unable to open their car doors.
Some drivers now carry glass breakers to escape through windows. Rideshare operators routinely explain manual door releases to passengers. Online marketplaces are filled with aftermarket pull cords and brightly colored release handles designed to make Tesla’s manual exits easier to find. Meanwhile, online forums and video platforms host tutorials explaining how to access these releases, which vary widely by model.
Nearly 35,000 people have signed a Consumer Reports petition urging automakers to rethink electronic door designs.
Federal Scrutiny Intensifies
The issue has gained urgency after several incidents nationwide in which occupants were injured or killed after failing to exit vehicles. A Bloomberg News investigation identified more than 140 consumer complaints filed with U.S. regulators since 2018 involving Tesla door handles sticking, failing, or becoming inoperable—particularly after crashes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a safety probe into whether doors on certain Tesla Model Y vehicles are defective. Tesla’s chief designer has said the company is working on a redesign of the flush-handle mechanism.
How Tesla Doors Work — and Fail
Tesla pioneered electrically controlled flush door handles, a design now widely adopted across the auto industry. However, when power is lost, those doors can stop functioning.
While Tesla vehicles include manual door releases, owners say they are often unmarked, hidden under mats, placed in door pockets, or limited to certain seating rows. The lack of standardization has fueled confusion and concern.
David Ward, a Model 3 owner in California, said he learned how to operate his car almost entirely through online videos.
“Tesla does not educate its consumers about how to fully operate the car,” Ward said.
Tesla Responds to Safety Questions
Tesla did not respond directly to requests for comment. However, board chair Robyn Denholm said in a recent interview that the company takes safety issues seriously.
Denholm acknowledged that while many owners know where manual releases are located, Tesla is working to raise awareness and improve backup designs.
“We are continuing to look at, is there a better way?” she said.
Passenger Safety and Rideshare Concerns
The issue extends beyond private owners. Teslas are widely used in rideshare and rental fleets, increasing exposure for passengers unfamiliar with the vehicles.
Chad Lincoln, a Tennessee-based driver for Uber, said passengers frequently asked how to escape a rented Tesla Model 3 from Hertz.
“The safety concerns around the manual release are really big for me,” Lincoln said, adding that he is unlikely to purchase a Tesla in the future.
Calls for Stronger Regulation
Michael Brooks, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, said federal regulators should consider new standards that clearly define how emergency exits must be designed and labeled.
Consumers rarely consider door mechanics when shopping for vehicles, Brooks said, even though escape access can become critical in crashes or battery fires.
Gaps in Existing Safety Rules
Tesla vehicles rely on two batteries: a high-voltage pack for propulsion and a low-voltage system that controls doors and windows. If the low-voltage battery fails, doors may not unlock.
Current U.S. safety regulations require doors to prevent occupant ejection during crashes, but they do not mandate manual backups for electronic door systems.
NHTSA said inadequate ability to exit a vehicle could qualify as a safety defect requiring a recall. The agency has previously influenced recalls involving electronic door handles at other automakers.
Owners Spread Awareness Themselves
Some Tesla owners have taken it upon themselves to educate others. After reading about students trapped in a crashed Tesla, Los Angeles resident Bri Policarpio posted a TikTok demonstrating how to use the manual release in her Model Y. The video drew more than 1.4 million views.
Owners are also modifying their vehicles with straps, cords, and emergency kits to make releases easier to access.
“How is anyone supposed to find this release in an emergency?” one verified Amazon reviewer wrote.
A Harrowing Experience Sparks Change
Ironically, Geter already owned a glass breaker when her son became trapped—but it was locked inside the car. After failed attempts to unlock the vehicle via the Tesla app, she contacted emergency services.
Just as first responders attempted to break a window, one of the doors opened on its own.
“I don’t know what we were going to do if that door didn’t pop open,” Geter said. “I just felt so helpless.”
