Tesla's 'Best Part Is No Part' Doors Spark Global Safety Probe

Regulators on three continents are examining the safety of Tesla's electric car doors, with concerns that designs could fail, trapping occupants or blocking rescuers. This issue stems from decisions made around 2016 during the Model 3's development, where Elon Musk pushed for virtually all controls, including doors, to be electric. This minimalist philosophy, summarized as "the best part is no part," aimed to reduce components and costs. However, these electric systems, powered by a low-voltage battery, can fail, especially after collisions, inhibiting emergency access.

Reports indicate that nonfunctional doors have contributed to serious injuries and hundreds of consumer complaints, leading to investigations by US authorities and scrutiny from China and European regulators. Bloomberg's investigation uncovered at least 15 deaths over the past decade where door functionality was a factor after crashes. While Tesla has noted its vehicles score highly on crash tests and is working on door handle redesigns, the effectiveness and accessibility of manual releases have been questioned, with some models initially lacking rear-seat manual overrides.

Tesla asserts that door-related issues are industrywide and is implementing changes, such as automatic unlocking during severe collisions. The company is also working with Chinese authorities on door regulations. Despite past design choices, like removing turn-signal stalks, leading to owner criticism, Tesla stated it prioritizes safety improvements. A new safety page on Tesla's website highlights features like automatic door unlocking in serious collisions, though availability may vary by region and model.