Major blow to Musk's image: Tesla under investigation over defective doors
Photo: Elon Musk (Getty Images)
In the United States, authorities are investigating possible defects in the doors of Tesla Model Y, as there have been cases where parents were forced to break windows to rescue their children, according to AP.
US federal auto safety regulators have launched an investigation into potential door defects in 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles, following reports of passengers being trapped inside due to faulty electronic locks.
Main issue
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed it had received at least nine complaints about malfunctioning electronic door handles, likely linked to low battery voltage. In four cases, parents had to break windows to free children trapped in the back seats.
Although Tesla vehicles are equipped with manual release mechanisms, NHTSA stressed that young children often cannot reach them or don’t know how to use them.
Previous incidents
Tesla’s door systems have faced scrutiny before. Drivers have reported being unable to exit after crashes or fires. In April, a California student-athlete narrowly survived when his Tesla Cybertruck caught fire after hitting a tree, while the doors failed to open. Last year, relatives of a deceased Tesla Model 3 driver sued the company, alleging door design flaws that contributed to at least 200 fire-related incidents.
Scope of investigation
The current probe covers about 174,000 Tesla Model Y crossovers. Regulators are assessing both the scale of the defect and the reliability of the electronic locking power supply. NHTSA is also investigating other Tesla technologies, including its “Summon” feature and driver-assist systems linked to accidents, as well as the company’s reporting practices on autopilot-related crashes.
Musk's position in global wealth rankings
Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who could become the world’s first trillionaire if he secures a new compensation package, has recently lost the top spot on Bloomberg’s wealth index. Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison overtook him after his fortune surged to $393 billion, compared to Musk’s $385 billion.
