- Several crash fatalities have been linked to failed retractable door handles
- NHTSA is working on new rules to regulate the feature
- Tesla, Rivian, Hyundai, and many other automakers offer the handles
Automakers have employed a range of gadgets to make modern cars feel futuristic, but recreating the wheel for simple vehicle functions like door handles comes with some risks. One of the biggest is the fact that retractable door handles can make it significantly harder to exit the vehicle after a crash, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has taken notice.
Late last year, Bloomberg reported that more than a dozen people died in crashes while driving Tesla vehicles with retractable door handles. The problem was widespread enough that a petition was submitted to NHTSA, requesting an investigation into the Tesla Model 3’s door handles, claiming the configuration does not comply with motor vehicle safety standards.
While the government agency denied the petition, it is proceeding with an investigation of all vehicles with the door handles. In its documentation, NHTSA said, “NHTSA does not believe that the issues presented by the Petitioner indicate the likelihood of a safety-related defect that would warrant a defect investigation, and the issue is best addressed through the rulemaking process.”
Some automakers, including Tesla and Rivian, have already taken steps to redesign parts of the door handles, but several others still use similar configurations.
The door handles in question remain locked flush to the vehicle’s body until the owner approaches with a key fob or card, at which point the handles extend to allow entry. In the best cases, it can take a while to learn the system, but in the worst cases, the situation can turn deadly. Beyond the learning curve, the main issue with retractable handles is that they often come with electrically operated latches rather than old-school mechanical connections.
After a crash, electrical faults and other problems make it difficult or impossible to open the doors, requiring the use of backup latches. The denied petition sought emergency labels for backup door handles, but it’s unclear how strict NHTSA’s new rules will be.
