U.S. auto safety regulators have launched a defect investigation into Tesla Model 3 vehicles amid concerns that emergency door release mechanisms may be difficult to locate or operate during critical situations.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation announced on Wednesday that the probe covers approximately 179,071 Model 3 compact sedans from the 2022 model year. The investigation was formally opened on December 23 following a defect petition alleging that the vehicles’ mechanical door release controls are concealed, poorly labeled, and not intuitive in emergency scenarios.

According to the petition, Tesla’s reliance on electronic door latches—activated by buttons rather than traditional mechanical handles—could pose a safety risk if power is lost or occupants are unfamiliar with the vehicle’s design. Although Tesla vehicles are equipped with manual door releases intended for emergencies or power failures, safety experts and consumer advocates have long raised concerns that these mechanisms are not consistently visible or easily identifiable, particularly for rear-seat passengers.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the investigation.

The issue of door accessibility has drawn heightened scrutiny following a series of high-profile lawsuits involving Tesla vehicles. Last month, the company was sued over a fatal crash in Wisconsin in which all five occupants of a Model S were killed in a fire. Plaintiffs allege that the victims were unable to escape the vehicle due to a design flaw that prevented the doors from being opened.

In another case, Tesla has faced legal action from the families of two college students who died in a Cybertruck crash in a San Francisco suburb last November. The lawsuit claims the victims were trapped inside the vehicle as it burned, allegedly because of issues related to the door handle design.

Regulators emphasized that the opening of a defect investigation does not automatically result in a vehicle recall. However, it represents the first step in a formal review process that could lead to corrective action if a safety-related defect is confirmed.

The probe into the Model 3 follows earlier regulatory scrutiny of Tesla’s door systems. In September, NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation into approximately 174,290 Model Y vehicles after reports that electronic door handles could become inoperative under certain conditions.

As electric vehicles increasingly rely on electronic systems in place of traditional mechanical components, regulators and safety advocates have called for clearer standards to ensure passengers can exit vehicles quickly and safely during emergencies. The current investigation adds to growing regulatory attention on how advanced vehicle designs balance innovation with occupant safety. (ILKHA)