NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation: Electronic Door Handles Become Inoperative in 2021 Tesla Model Y (PE25-010)

PE25-010 at a glance

What is NHTSA investigating in the Tesla Model Y?

From NHTSA’s investigation summary:

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received nine Vehicle Owners Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting an inability to open doors on Model Year (MY) 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles.

The most commonly reported scenarios involved parents exiting the vehicle after a drive cycle in order to remove a child from the back seat or placing a child in the back seat before starting a drive cycle.

In those events, the parents were unable to reopen a door to regain access to the vehicle.

Four of these VOQs reported resorting to breaking a window to regain entry into the vehicle.

Although Tesla vehicles have manual door releases inside of the cabin, in these situations, a child may not be able to access or operate the releases even if the vehicle's driver is aware of them.

As a result, in these instances, an occupant who remains inside a vehicle in this condition may be unable to be rapidly retrieved by persons outside of the vehicle.

Entrapment in a vehicle is particularly concerning in emergency situations, such as when children are entrapped in a hot vehicle.

For awareness, NHTSA has a Child Heatstroke Campaign that highlights the dangers to children entrapped in hot vehicles.

Based on ODI's preliminary review, this condition appears to occur when the electronic door locks receive insufficient voltage from the vehicle.

Available repair invoices report replacement of the vehicle's low voltage battery after the incident.

However, no VOQs reported seeing a low voltage battery warning prior to the exterior door handles becoming inoperative.

The Tesla Owner's Manual "Jump Starting" and "Opening the Hood with No Power" sections describe a multi-step process for restoring power to the electronic door locks in order to enable their operation from outside of the vehicle.

This process requires applying 12 volts DC from a separate power source to two different points accessible from the vehicle's exterior.The subject incidents suggest that this process may not be readily available to owners or well known.

For instances where an occupant is able to access and operate interior door handles, the Tesla Owner's Manual "Opening Doors with No Power" section identifies the manual door releases inside of the vehicle's cabin.

ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to assess the scope and severity of this condition, including the risks that arise from the conditions reported in the VOQs.

This investigation will also assess the approach used by Tesla to supply power to the door locks and the reliability of the applicable power supplies.

At this time, NHTSA's investigation is focused on the operability of the electronic door locks from outside of the vehicle as that circumstance is the only one in which there is no manual way to open the door.

The agency will continue to monitor any reports of entrapment involving opening doors from inside of the vehicle, and ODI will take further action as needed.

To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume and the ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

What is a preliminary evaluation?

Preliminary Evaluation is the first stage of a federal defect investigation. NHTSA reviews complaints, crash reports and manufacturer data to decide whether a safety defect may exist. It can close with no action, be upgraded to an engineering analysis, or end with a recall.

Did this investigation lead to a recall?

Not yet. The investigation is still open, and NHTSA has not listed a recall from it. Investigations can take months. If your vehicle already has the problem, document every dealer visit now.

Which vehicles are part of this investigation?

What are Tesla Model Y owners reporting to NHTSA?

NHTSA’s public database lists 1,079 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

What should owners do?

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
2. If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
3. Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
4. File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
5. If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.

Recalls on the same vehicles

• 2026 Tesla Model Y Front Suspension Recall (26V558)
• 2021-2023 Tesla Model 3 Headlight Recall (26V507)
• 2026 Tesla Model Y Knee Bolster Recall (26V445)
• 2025-2026 Tesla Model Y Label Recall (26V315)
• 2021-2023 Tesla Model 3 Backup Camera Software Recall (26V283)
• 2025 Tesla Model 3 Fuses Recall (25V690)
• 2026 Tesla Model Y Wiring Recall (25V658)
• 2026 Tesla Model Y Electrical Horn Recall (25V490)
• 2026 Tesla Model 3 Seat Fastener Recall (25V410)
• 2026 Tesla Model Y Windshield Wiper Recall (25V359)

Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?

Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.

Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).

An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions