Tesla - TSLA (USA)

Police in Germany blamed EV door handles after a driver and two children died.
Witness tried to open the doors but failed as fire quickly spread through the car.

Multiple lawsuits and reports, including a notable November 2024 crash involving a Cybertruck, have alleged that Tesla’s electronic door handles can become inoperable during accidents, trapping occupants and causing fatalities, with reports of at least 15 such deaths since 2016. The mechanical, hidden handles are difficult to locate in emergencies, leading to NHTSA investigations and, as of early 2026, a, potential ban on such designs in China.

October 2025 Cybertruck Incident: Three teenagers—Jack Nelson, Krysta Tsukahara, and Soren Dixon—died in a Cybertruck crash in California where the vehicle caught fire, and passengers were reportedly unable to exit due to the door design.

November 2024 Model S Crash: All five occupants of a Model S died after a Wisconsin crash where, according to a lawsuit, the doors failed to open, trapping them inside.

Safety Concerns: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating the mechanical door releases for being unintuitive, with reports of both children and adults getting stuck.

Regulatory Action: In response to these incidents, including a September 2025 crash in Germany that killed three, China has announced a ban on purely hidden electronic handles, requiring accessible manual releases.