It can be startling to see news reports of occupants unable to exit their vehicles because of dead batteries or social media posts from drivers upset over being “trapped” inside their electric cars. Potentially frightening situations can occur when these criteria are met:
- The vehicle features electronic door releases.
- The car’s battery dies.
- Its driver doesn’t know how to use or where to locate the manual backup door latch.
Electric cars — primarily Tesla models — receive most of the negative attention around doors not opening with a dead battery. However, vehicles equipped with electronic door releases instead of having a manual lever are becoming more common in all automobiles.
So, if the battery dies, how do you exit an electric car or any car with electric door releases? You follow the instructions in the owner’s manual. The same goes for any automobile with a button to unlatch the door from the inside electronically.
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How to Open Electronic Car Doors Manually
Remember, not every EV has electric door releases, and electronic latches are found in some gas-powered cars.
Knowing how to open a car door manually becomes crucial if the vehicle has an electronic button release system and the 12-volt battery that powers accessories is dead. When working correctly, the button signals an electric motor to unlatch the door. If the driver or passenger depresses the button and nothing happens, they must use the manual emergency release.
While automakers don’t intentionally hide the mechanical release location, the physical lever isn’t necessarily prominent, especially when an occupant is in a stressful or chaotic emergency situation. When you enter a car with a door button instead of a traditional mechanical door handle, familiarize yourself with the manual door release placement. It’s best to understand the procedure before an emergency occurs.
- Review the owner’s manual if it’s your new car, a rental, or a loaner.
- If you’re in a rideshare or a friend’s vehicle, ask the driver for the location of the emergency release.
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Overriding the Electronic Interior Door Release
Cars with buttons that electronically unlatch doors also have backup manual release levers to use when the system fails. The location of the manual door release varies by automaker and is specified in the owner’s manual.
Common locations for emergency levers are inside the door storage pocket, where it’s placed on the Fiat 500e, or on the floor next to the seat, like the Chevrolet Corvette. On other models, such as the Lucid Air, pulling hard on the interior handle to the second notch or catch will trigger the manual door latch. Refer to the vehicle’s documentation to understand how to use the mechanical backup method for opening the door to exit the car.
It’s unlikely that a low battery state would affect electronic latches, and complete power failures are extremely rare. Having a total loss of power while you’re sitting in the car is even less likely. First responders have specific training and tools to access the cabin from the outside in emergency situations. Still, malfunctions can happen, and it’s important for drivers and passengers to know how to bypass electronic latches before the need arises. Check the owner’s manual for model-specific tips about emergency exit procedures.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since its initial publication.
