Flush Door Handles Under Fire: NHTSA Moves Toward New Safety Standards

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is taking a closer look at vehicle door handle designs after a string of crashes where emergency responders couldn't open stuck doors. This follows a petition questioning whether the handles on the 2022 Tesla Model 3 meet existing federal standards.

Both Tesla and Rivian have already announced plans to change how their door handles work.

For decades, door handles were a solved problem, a simple pull or a satisfying click. Then automakers chasing every last mile of range switched to flush, electrically operated handles. What seemed like a minor innovation has turned into a serious safety concern. In some cases, passengers or even rescuers couldn't open the doors from outside.

Worse, there have been reports of children and elderly individuals trapped inside vehicles with non-responsive handles.

Bloomberg reported last year that fifteen people died in Tesla crashes where doors wouldn't open. That prompted a petition specifically asking NHTSA to examine the 2022 Tesla Model 3's emergency release mechanism. S. NHTSA has also opened its own investigation into complaints about being unable to enter vehicles.

Tesla's lead designer confirmed last year that the company is reworking its handle designs. Rivian has followed suit. Still, questions linger: How long will it take for new federal rules to take effect? And will they be enforced effectively? The regulatory process is famously slow, but with lives at stake, the pressure is on.

For now, Boca Auto Care recommends checking your vehicle's door operation regularly, especially if you own an EV with flush handles.