Tragedy and Questions for Tesla: Cybertruck Door Handles at the Center of a Lawsuit
Tesla is once again in the spotlight — but this time not for a technological breakthrough. The company faces a lawsuit in the United States following a tragic accident in which three students lost their lives after being unable to escape a burning Cybertruck. Their families allege that Tesla knew about the flaw but failed to act in time.
The incident occurred on the outskirts of San Francisco, where the Cybertruck caught fire and became, quite literally, a trap. The vehicle’s electronic locks and retractable door handles reportedly failed to respond, preventing the occupants from getting out. The lawsuit now accuses Tesla of concealing a life-threatening design defect — not only in the Cybertruck but across other models as well.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received around 140 complaints since 2018 concerning Tesla vehicles whose electronic doors or locks have jammed or failed during emergencies. In mid-September, the agency launched a formal investigation covering roughly 174,000 Model Y vehicles.
Should NHTSA determine that Tesla’s retractable door handles pose a safety risk, the automaker could be forced into a large-scale recall. For now, Model Y owners are being urged to monitor their door systems closely and contact service centers at the first sign of malfunction.
In response to the growing scrutiny, Tesla’s chief designer made a rare public statement, noting that the company is already developing a revised handle and locking mechanism aimed at improving both safety and reliability.
The tragedy has reignited debate over Tesla’s design philosophy — a blend of minimalism and automation that, while futuristic, can prove perilous when the power fails.
