US Regulators Investigate Tesla After Reports of Children Trapped in Model Y Vehicles
U.S. safety regulators have launched an investigation into Tesla’s 2021 Model Y after receiving reports that malfunctioning electric door handles left children trapped inside the vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Tuesday that it had received nine complaints about the issue, with four incidents escalating to the point where parents had to break a window to free their children.
According to NHTSA’s preliminary findings, the problem appears to occur when electric door locks fail due to insufficient voltage, leaving the external handles unresponsive. While the doors can technically be opened from the inside, regulators warned that young children may not be able to reach or operate the manual release levers.
“Entrapment in a vehicle is particularly concerning in emergency situations, such as when children are trapped in a hot car,” NHTSA stated in its initial report. “An occupant who remains inside a vehicle in this condition may be unable to be rapidly retrieved by persons outside of the vehicle.”
The probe will cover an estimated 170,000 Model Y units, making it the first step toward a potential recall. Tesla has not yet issued a comment on the investigation.
Most of the complaints involved parents who briefly stepped out of the car before realizing their children were unable to exit the back seat. Several reported receiving no prior warning about battery or voltage issues before the malfunction occurred.
The investigation adds to Tesla’s growing list of regulatory challenges. NHTSA is also conducting a separate review of the company’s driver-assistance systems, which have faced criticism following crashes involving the automaker’s Autopilot feature.
The news comes as Tesla grapples with declining electric vehicle sales. Deliveries are projected to fall for a second consecutive year, even as CEO Elon Musk shifts the company’s focus toward robotaxis and humanoid robots. Despite these ambitions, Tesla remains heavily dependent on its core car business, which has been battered by increasing competition and consumer backlash over Musk’s political ties, including his support of the Trump administration during the 2024 U.S. election.
Tesla’s U.S. market share dropped to an eight-year low in August, according to data from Cox Automotive, highlighting the challenges the EV maker faces as rivals roll out more affordable and diverse electric vehicle options.
The outcome of the NHTSA investigation could further impact Tesla’s reputation and sales as the company works to regain consumer trust and stabilize its market position.
