Elon Musk was warned nearly a decade ago about potential safety risks tied to Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA)’s electrically powered exterior door handles, according to a report by Bloomberg, as the automaker now faces heightened regulatory scrutiny over door-related safety issues.
Bloomberg, citing anonymous sources familiar with internal discussions, reported that concerns about electric door handle failures were raised to Musk during production of the Model 3.
The sources said the discussions focused on scenarios in which a loss of vehicle power could prevent doors from opening, potentially trapping occupants inside.
The report said that at least 15 fatalities in the US over the past decade can be linked to incidents in which Tesla doors allegedly hindered escape or delayed rescue efforts.
Bloomberg pointed to cases involving crashes and fires where exterior door handles did not function as expected, in some instances requiring occupants or first responders to break windows to gain access.
Regulatory attention has since intensified. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently opened a safety probe into alleged door defects on certain Tesla Model Y vehicles.
According to Bloomberg, the agency is examining reports that electronic exterior door handles may fail during low-voltage conditions or power loss, raising the risk of entrapment. Similar concerns have also been reported across some Model 3 and Model Y variants.
Tesla has not publicly addressed the specific claims outlined in the Bloomberg report. The company has previously said its vehicles include alternative methods for emergency egress and that it works with regulators and first responders on safety-related issues.