Overview
- Federal investigators are examining about 179,071 Model 3 sedans from the 2022 model year after a Dec. 23 filing by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation.
- The inquiry stems from a complaint describing the mechanical release as hidden and unlabeled, with the owner reporting a fire and an escape through a rear window; the filing notes one injury.
- The investigation is not a recall, though NHTSA could seek remedies if it confirms a safety defect.
- Tesla has not responded to requests for comment regarding the new review.
- The probe follows prior scrutiny of Tesla door systems, including a 2025 preliminary evaluation of Model Y exterior handles, lawsuits tied to fatal crashes such as a 2024 Cybertruck case, and Bloomberg’s report of at least 15 deaths over the past decade where doors were reportedly inoperable.