Mar 9, 2025Latches & locksBody & structure
I own a 2018 Tesla Model S. While it was still under warranty the passenger side door handle quit working and it was no longer possible to open that door. Tesla replaced the door handle at no change with a newly designed mechanism. It was explained to me that they redesigned the mechanism which had a high failure rate, and my car handles would no longer be installed in later cars. I asked if they would change all 4 door handles for me, and was told they would not. Now several years later, another door handle has failed. This time dangerously. The door pops open spontaneously, and therefore the car is not safe to drive. I have an appointment for repair, but at full cost. Should Tesla not cover the cost, as it makes the vehicle unsafe to drive, and they clearly knew about it when they originally sold me my car?
NHTSA ODI 11647218
Dec 11, 2023Latches & locks
The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that the emergency trunk latch had failed, and the trunk was unable to be opened. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the emergency trunk latch warning light remained illuminated, and the doors could not be locked and secured. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 131,000.
NHTSA ODI 11559428
Apr 9, 2022Latches & locksCrash
I HIT A DEER ON INTERSTATE. AIRBAGS AND PRETENSIONER DEPLOYED. AFTER VEHICLE SHUT DOWN NO DOORS CAN BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. NO INJURIES BUT COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTER IF SOMEONE WAS TRAPPED INSIDE.
NHTSA ODI 11460242
Dec 22, 2021Electrical systemLatches & locks
Three of four (3/4) of door handles failed simultaneously. Doors failed to open resulting in inoperable doors. Driver’s door suffered random catastrophic failure, resulting in door abruptly opening while in motion. Brought to Tesla service center and notified that parts are on back order. With no other solution. Primary safety concern is door will randomly open again during operation. Service center could not offer alternate solution to securing or operating doors. Only solution until parts are received is to access doors from inside the vehicle through the one single operable door. This is a potential entrapment and major safety issue.
NHTSA ODI 11444766
May 12, 2020Electrical systemLatches & locksSpeed controlCrash1 injury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VERY SLOW SPEED AND PARKING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND CRASH INTO A TRANSFORMER. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER TESLA OF HONOLULU (1450 ALA MOANA BLVD, HONOLULU HI) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE SAME FAILURE HAD OCCURRED WHILE PARKING CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A CONCRETE WALL. DURING THE CRASH THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CHEST INJURY DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY PAD HAD SUDDENLY BLACKED OUT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND THE DOORS HAD FAILED TO OPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,410. OWNER IS EXTREMELY SCARED TO DRIVE AGAIN. CAR IS SITTING IN THE GARAGE. WORRIED ABOUT ANYONE DRIVING THE CAR MAY GET INTO A FATAL ACCIDENT.*DT*JB
NHTSA ODI 11324261