Overview
- The federal complaint, filed by Jacquelyn Tremblett in Massachusetts, includes a transcript of her son Samuel’s 911 call pleading for help after he could not open his 2021 Model Y’s doors following a crash.
- Police and the lawsuit say the Oct. 29, 2025 crash in Easton, Massachusetts left the Tesla burning, responders heard multiple explosions, the fire took about four hours to extinguish, and Tremblett’s remains were found in the back seat.
- The suit alleges Tesla’s electronically actuated, flush handles failed after power loss and that manual releases are hard to find, noting rear-door access can require removing a door-pocket mat to pull a hidden cable and may not be present on all Model Ys.
- NHTSA has an active probe into 2021 Model Y exterior-handle failures and is evaluating a separate Model 3 defect request, while Bloomberg has documented at least 15 deaths in incidents where Tesla doors could not be opened after crashes and fires.
- Tesla says it is redesigning door mechanisms and has updated guidance that doors will automatically unlock after a serious collision, as China’s new rules require mechanical interior and exterior releases on new models starting January 1, 2027.