Tesla’s signature flush handles may soon be on the chopping block. Between new Chinese regulations and a U.S. safety probe, the EV maker is preparing to redesign how drivers open and exit its cars.
Flush handles face scrutiny in China
Beijing plans to ban door handles that sit flush with the body, calling them unreliable and unsafe in accidents. Tesla isn’t the only automaker affected, but chief designer Franz von Holzhausen says the company already has a “very good solution” in mind if regulators move forward. He didn’t reveal whether it would resemble Ferrari’s flat pull-out handles but insisted ergonomics won’t be an issue.
NHTSA investigates Tesla door malfunctions
In the U.S., the NHTSA is probing complaints that some Model Y owners were trapped when flush handles malfunctioned or passengers couldn’t figure out how to exit during power failures. Tesla doors currently open with an electronic button, backed by a separate mechanical lever. But the redundancy system itself has sparked confusion.
Hidden emergency levers create safety concerns
Front seats feature a visible manual lever, but the rear doors hide it beneath a cubby lid. That design has led to rental mishaps, stories of children stuck inside, and concerns about usability in emergencies.
Tesla is merging electronic and mechanical latches
Von Holzhausen revealed that Tesla plans to merge its button-based system with the emergency mechanism. The idea is to streamline the process using the same motion drivers they already know instead of asking them to fumble for a hidden lever in a crisis.
Tesla looks to avoid another safety headache
With regulators on both sides of the globe circling, Tesla is being pushed to rethink an iconic design that once symbolized sleek minimalism. This time, function may finally trump form.
If Tesla follows through, the next generation of its cars could open doors with less drama and fewer rescue stories.
{{user}} {{datetime}}
{{text}}