NHTSA Opens Investigation Into Tesla Model Ys Trapping Occupants

By Nicholas G. Miller

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into reports of door lock problems on some 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles that have left occupants trapped inside.

The agency said it has received nine reports of an inability to open the vehicle's doors. The most common scenarios involved parents exiting the vehicle to remove a child from the back seat or trying to enter the vehicle after placing their child in the backseat but being unable to reopen a door. Four of the reports involved breaking a window to regain entry.

A preliminary review found the problem occurs when the electronic door locks receive insufficient voltage and that potential solutions may not be readily available or well-known to owners.

The vehicles have manual releases on the inside, but children stuck inside may not be able to operate them. "In these instances, an occupant who remains inside a vehicle in this condition may be unable to be rapidly retrieved by persons outside of the vehicle, the NHTSA said.

The NHTSA is opening a preliminary evaluation to assess the scope and severity of the problem.

Write to Nicholas G. Miller at nicholas.miller@wsj.com.