by Diversity of Door Opening Systems in Tesla
The methods for opening doors in Tesla vehicles vary significantly depending on the specific model and seat location. This can be a surprise for buyers of new cars, especially those with high safety ratings. There have been recorded cases where after accidents or fires, the electric doors did not open, leading to passengers being trapped inside. Sometimes even emergency services had difficulties opening the flush-mounted doors from the outside.
Location of Emergency Mechanisms
Despite Tesla equipping newer models with mechanical door releases on both front and rear seats, not all owners know where to find them. Depending on the model year, these levers are often hidden from view. In the chaos and panic following a collision, the situation quickly becomes dangerous. After several fatal accidents where people were unable to evacuate in time, Tesla owners have taken matters into their own hands.
Owners Resort to DIY Solutions
More and more Tesla owners are starting to buy glass breakers in case they become trapped. For the Model 3, Model Y, Model X, Model S, and Cybertruck, there is some reassurance: the front doors have an easily accessible mechanical lever in front of the window switches, so evacuating from them in a power loss situation should not be too difficult, provided you know about its existence.
However, passengers in the rear seats face a more complicated evacuation path. For example, in Model 3 vehicles produced since 2024, rear passengers need to pull out a plastic insert in the door pocket and then pull forward on a loop to manually open the door. A similar system exists in the Model Y and a comparable solution for the Cybertruck.
Features of Different Models
In the Model X, the situation is more confusing and potentially dangerous, as accessing the door-opening cable requires removing the rear speaker grille. In the Model S, the mechanical cable for opening is located under the carpet beneath the seats. Tesla Model 3 models produced before 2023 are significantly worse, as they lack a manual release altogether. Having a glass breaker on hand for anyone riding in the back seat of a Tesla might be a very good idea.
Emergence of Creative Market Solutions
Some enterprising Tesla owners have started selling accessories designed to facilitate access to and use of the manual door levers. A quick online search reveals an entire market niche built around these solutions. Products offered include special pull cords from Tesery and EV Dynamics, as well as numerous other options, including items from SWLOR and YONZEE and various pull cable kits adapted for different Tesla models.
Some owners who use Tesla models for car-sharing have even started explaining to passengers how they can free themselves if they get stuck after an accident. One such driver, Chad Lincoln, who works for Uber in Tennessee, shared that he now makes a short “flight attendant”-style announcement when new passengers get into his Model 3, precisely explaining how to find and use the emergency door release.
Manufacturer’s Response
Tesla is aware of these issues. In September, Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen confirmed that the company is working on redesigning the door handles. He noted that integrating the electric and manual opening mechanisms into a single button “makes a lot of sense.”
The issue of safety and accessibility of emergency exits remains critically important for modern electric vehicles with complex electronic systems. Developing intuitive and standardized mechanisms available under any conditions could become a key factor not only for the brand’s reputation but also for the real protection of people’s lives. The initiative of the owners themselves and the emergence of a market for special accessories clearly demonstrate an existing need that the manufacturer has not yet fully satisfied. Future design updates from Tesla will be closely studied by both experts and the owner community.
