Tesla door handle safety complaints may trigger new rules for all automakers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has decided not to open a defect investigation into Tesla's electronic door handles, which have been linked to multiple deaths. Instead, the agency announced it plans to pursue broader rulemaking that would require all new vehicles to have a reliable and clearly accessible door exit system. Tesla's flush, electronically operated door handles have raised concerns about occupants being unable to escape in emergencies. If the proposed regulation is finalized, it would apply industrywide, not just to Tesla. The announcement was published in an official NHTSA notice in November 2025.