A new investigation by Bloomberg has raised serious safety concerns around Tesla’s electronically operated door releases. According to the report, at least 15 people have died in crash-related incidents where Tesla doors allegedly failed to open after impact, trapping occupants inside vehicles that later caught fire. The findings add pressure on the EV maker as regulators and safety experts continue to scrutinize electronic door systems.
Tesla: Bloomberg Investigation & Key Findings
Bloomberg’s investigation analyzed fatal crash data in the United States from 2012 to 2023, supplied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and independently reviewed incidents from 2024 and 2025. The process involved examining thousands of police, fire, and autopsy reports, along with 911 call recordings, photographs, and body-camera footage. The analysis identified at least 15 deaths in which occupants were reportedly unable to exit Tesla vehicles after a crash due to inoperable doors.
While this number represents a small fraction of total EV-related fatalities, the report highlights a concerning pattern. More than half of the identified deaths occurred after November 2024, suggesting the issue may be worsening rather than improving.
How Tesla’s Electronic Door System Works
Tesla vehicles rely primarily on electrically powered exterior door handles. These systems are connected to the vehicle’s 12-VOLT battery, which can become disabled or completely fail during a severe crash. When that happens, the exterior handles may stop functioning, preventing doors from opening from the outside.
Tesla states that its vehicles are equipped with manual backup door releases. On most models, the front seats have mechanical emergency releases, but Bloomberg’s report notes that these are not always clearly marked or easy to locate, especially in panic situations. Some Model 3 and Model Y variants reportedly lack rear-seat manual releases entirely, while others hide them under floor mats, behind speaker grilles, or beneath trim panels.
Tesla: Regulatory Attention & NHTSA Probe
In September 2025, the NHTSA opened a formal investigation into Tesla Model Y door handles following multiple complaints about exterior handles becoming inoperable after crashes. The investigation focuses on whether the design poses an unreasonable safety risk, particularly in post-crash fire scenarios where rapid exit is critical.
Bloomberg also points out that Tesla is not alone in using electronic door handles. Around 70 vehicles currently sold in the U.S. feature similar systems. However, Tesla accounts for the highest number of consumer complaints related to doors failing to open after accidents.
Tesla’s Response & Safety Updates
Tesla recently launched a dedicated safety page on its website explaining how its doors are designed to automatically unlock after a crash to allow emergency access. The company claims newer vehicles are programmed to unlock doors when a serious collision is detected. However, the page includes a footnote stating that the feature may not be available on all models and can depend on the vehicle’s build date.
In a separate statement to Bloomberg, Tesla’s design chief confirmed the company is working on a revised door-handle design that combines mechanical and electronic operation into a single system. This approach aims to ensure doors remain operable even if electrical power is lost.
Why Post-Crash Door Access Matters
Safety experts emphasize that post-crash survivability is not only about crash protection but also about how quickly occupants can exit a vehicle. Fires, smoke inhalation, and secondary impacts pose significant risks when doors fail to open. The lack of comprehensive public data tracking door-related entrapment incidents makes it difficult to fully assess the scale of the problem, but Bloomberg’s investigation suggests it may be underreported.
Tesla: Prices In The Middle East
In the UAE and wider GCC market, Tesla vehicles affected by these concerns include the Model 3 and Model Y. The Tesla Model 3 currently starts at approximately AED 167,000, while the Tesla Model Y is priced from around AED 198,000, depending on variant and availability. Pricing may vary across Middle Eastern markets based on import duties and local incentives.
What This Means For Buyers
The Bloomberg report does not claim that Tesla vehicles are inherently unsafe, but it raises important questions about reliance on electronic systems for critical safety functions. As EV adoption grows in the Middle East and globally, regulators and manufacturers may face increasing pressure to ensure that essential components like doors remain operable under all conditions. For buyers, awareness of manual door releases and post-crash procedures could be just as important as performance and range figures.
