Tesla vehicles, like many vehicles today, have an electronic door release mechanism. In the event of a crash or electrical system failure, the electronic doors cannot be opened – unless there is an alternate manual emergency release mechanism.
Tesla’s have (typically) an unlabeled latch on both the front left and right seats.
However, Model 3s built in 2023 and earlier have on emergency door release for the back seats.
In some cases, vehicles have become disabled with children inside – and the outside flush, electronic door latches were not working, trapping children inside.
This is a design defect: Now Tesla owners are buying tools so they can get out in an emergency | The Independent
The NHSTA has opened an investigation into the Model 3 emergency door release system that could result in a future recall to address the problem.
Models built in 2023 and earlier have no back door emergency release mechanism.
Tesla believe it would be a mistake to have an easily pullable door opening mechanism where children might open the door in an unsafe situation. Instead, they said rear seat passengers should exit through the front doors – or (this is wild), fold down the rear seat, climb into the dark trunk, find and pull the emergency trunk release cable!
In 2024, they introduced the “refreshed” Model 3 “Highland” vehicle – which added a still somewhat hidden, but functional, rear door manual release. In doing so, Tesla seems to be acknowledging that a rear door emergency release is a necessary feature.
With the NHTSA now investigating this issue, it is possible that there will be a future re-call that could require replacement of the rear seat doors. The existing doors have no internal mechanism to which would could easily add a pull cord, for example – the manual release simply does not exist.
