Tesla Faces Safety Probe Over Door-Lock Failure That Could Trap People Inside

The safety agency says it has nine complaints involving 2021 Model Ys, including four cases where parents broke glass to get their kids out.

Model Y cars are pictured during the opening ceremony of the new Tesla Gigafactory for electric cars in Gruenheide, Germany, on March 22, 2022. Patrick Pleul/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

U.S. traffic safety officials have launched an investigation into more than 170,000 Tesla Model Y vehicles after reports that faulty door handles left children trapped inside, forcing some parents to smash windows to reach them.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a Sept. 15 notice that its preliminary evaluation covers about 174,000 Model Y SUVs from the 2021 model year. The probe follows nine complaints that exterior electronic door handles became inoperative, apparently because of low 12-volt battery voltage.