Tesla Faces New Probe As Model Y Doors Fail To Open

Tesla TSLA is facing fresh scrutiny after U.S. auto safety regulators said some Model Y doors may not open properly, leaving parents to smash windows to rescue their kids. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed Tuesday it has launched a preliminary probe into about 174,000 vehicles from the 2021 model year.

The agency said it received nine complaints that the electronic exterior door handles failed, likely because of low battery voltage. In four cases, children were stuck in the back seat. While Tesla includes manual release handles, regulators noted young passengers may not be able to reach or understand how to use them.

It's not the first time Tesla's door design has raised alarms. Past accidents and fires have left drivers trapped, sparking lawsuits and criticism that the company hasn't fixed what some call a dangerous flaw. NHTSA said its latest review will look at how serious the risk is and whether Tesla's power supply design is reliable enough.

Despite the headlines, Tesla stock closed up more than 2% at $419.25, still buoyed by Elon Musk's $1 billion share purchase announced a day earlier.