by Lawsuit Against Tesla Over Doors
Tesla is facing another lawsuit related to the operation of its cars’ electric doors. Last week, the mother of a 20-year-old man who died in a crash while driving a 2021 Tesla Model Y sued the manufacturer. The complaint was filed in federal court in Massachusetts.
Tragedy After the Collision
According to court documents, Samuel Tremblett was alive after his Model Y crashed into a tree on Route 138 in the town of Easton, a small town south of Boston. He was able to call 911 from inside the car, but a transcript of the call shows he could not open the door as fire began to engulf the vehicle.
Trapped With No Chance of Escape
“I’m stuck in a crashed car,” Tremblett said during the call, undoubtedly in a state of panic. “I can’t get out, please help me. I can’t breathe… There’s a fire… I’m going to die.”
Rescuers’ Failure
Emergency services arrived at the scene but were unable to quickly extinguish the fire to save the young man. According to local media, firefighters heard four explosions from the Model Y within the first 10 minutes on site. It took four hours to put out the fire.
Aftermath of the Crash
The lawsuit states that Tremblett suffered “catastrophic thermal” injuries and smoke inhalation. His body was found in the back seat of the Model Y. According to the complaint, he was unable to open the door after the crash and died in the fire before help could reach him.
Why Tesla Doors May Not Open
The Problem with Electronic Handles
As stated in the lawsuit, the electronic exterior door handles on the Tesla Model Y may fail to open after a collision, blocking the exit. Furthermore, the mechanical interior door release is not clearly marked and can be difficult to locate.
This is especially problematic on the rear doors, where the emergency release mechanism is hidden under a plastic panel in the door pocket. It is a simple cable, and many Model Y owners or passengers may not even know of its existence.
Regulatory Reaction
A recent Bloomberg report states that at least 15 people in the US have died in crashes involving Tesla vehicles where the doors could not be opened. Concerns over the operation of these electronic door handles recently led to their ban in China, and it’s possible other countries may follow suit.
In the US, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced in September that it is investigating potential defects in some Model Y vehicles. These cases involve incidents where exterior door handles were reportedly failing after collisions.
Meanwhile, a US lawmaker has proposed a bill that would require mechanical door opening devices in new vehicles and ensure reliable access for rescuers when power is lost.
This tragedy highlights a critical point of tension between innovative design and basic safety requirements. The shift to fully electronic systems, such as door handles, is often motivated by aesthetics and minimalism, but in extreme situations, such as a serious crash with fire, the reliability of a mechanical backup becomes a matter of life and death. The Model Y incident is not isolated, indicating a systemic issue that requires review from both regulators and the company’s engineers. The future of automotive safety will likely demand hybrid solutions where advanced technology is combined with simple, fail-safe mechanical means of egress, ensuring that progress in design does not come at the expense of fundamental passenger protection.
