A growing number of Tesla owners in Canada and the United States are taking extreme measures, from purchasing emergency escape tools to buying entirely new vehicles, due to fears of being trapped inside their cars when electronic door systems fail.
Traumatic Incidents Spark Consumer Action
The issue gained national attention following a Bloomberg News investigation published on December 18, 2025, which uncovered more than 140 consumer complaints filed with U.S. auto safety regulators. These complaints, logged since 2018, detail problems with door handles on various Tesla models getting stuck, failing to open, or malfunctioning, particularly after collisions.
One harrowing case involved Erin Geter, 39, of Huntersville, North Carolina. In May, her toddler son became trapped inside her Tesla when the vehicle's electric doors lost power. "I was very traumatized," Geter said. The experience prompted her to purchase a Honda CR-V with standard door handles just weeks later to safely transport her children.
A Market for Emergency Solutions Emerges
In response to the potential hazard, a cottage industry of third-party safety products has emerged. Drivers are proactively buying glass-breaking tools to ensure they can escape through windows if doors won't open. Sellers on platforms like Amazon.com Inc. and Etsy Inc. are offering emergency pull cords and other accessories designed to make Tesla's manual releases more accessible.
Online communities have become crucial resources. Reddit forums and YouTube channels now feature step-by-step installation guides for these aftermarket parts. Meanwhile, rideshare drivers are reportedly showing passengers the location of manual door releases—which vary confusingly by model—before starting trips. The concern has mobilized nearly 35,000 people to sign a Consumer Reports online petition urging automakers to address electronic door failures.
Regulatory Scrutiny and Tesla's Response
The situation has escalated following incidents where individuals were severely injured or died after being unable to exit vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a formal safety probe into whether the doors on certain Tesla Model Y vehicles are defective.
Tesla, a pioneer of sleek, flush door handles and electrically controlled doors, faces criticism over the design's functionality during power loss. Manual releases inside Tesla vehicles can be unmarked, hidden under floor mats or in door pockets, or available only in the front row.
In an October interview with Bloomberg, Tesla board Chair Robyn Denholm stated the company takes safety questions seriously and is working to raise awareness about the location of manual releases. "We are continuing to look at, is there a better way?" Denholm said, noting that Tesla's chief designer is working on a redesign of the mechanism behind the hallmark flush handles.
Owners like David Ward, a San Diego-area resident who bought his Model 3 in 2021, express frustration with the lack of guidance. "Tesla does not educate its consumers about how to fully operate the car," Ward said. "I had to learn how to operate everything on YouTube." Tesla did not respond to a request for comment on the Bloomberg article.
