Four People Die Trapped in Burning Tesla

[camrydriver111]

It was reported over 5 years ago that Tesla's electronic door mechanism may not release in the event of a crash trapping people inside the car.

We had another 4 people die because they couldn't exit a burning Tesla.

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2024/10/24/four-dead-electric-vehicle-crash-toronto/

Obviously, we don't know the exact reason why they couldn't exit the vehicle and there is a manual release. However, Tesla using electronic door locks could be a factor.

If I drove a Tesla I would definitely keep a hammer inside.

 

[nomas]

This will end badly .

 

[The_Jeff]

I've never been a fan of user interfaces that behave differently only in emergencies.

It's like Toyota's (and others') ignition switch buttons that will kill the ignition if you hold them down for three seconds in drive or half a second in park.

Tesla wants you to open the doors electrically most of the time but to pull this obscure cable disguised as not-an-exit when the electrics fail.

Movie theaters have lit exit signs. Tesla prefers the hidden bookshelf-door thing from the movie "Clue."

 

[02SE]

I recall being on several car accidents as a ride-along, with my friend who was a police officer. I witnessed a couple of accident scenes where the people couldn't get out of their mangled car, and died. The Fire Extinguisher my friend carried wasn't sufficient to put out the flames.

People have been dying in car crashes for well over 100 years. Eliminating all risk is impossible.

Maybe they'll ban cars to save us from ourselves?

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

It was reported over 5 years ago that Tesla's electronic door mechanism may not release in the event of a crash trapping people inside the car.

We had another 4 people die because they couldn't exit a burning Tesla.

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2024/10/24/four-dead-electric-vehicle-crash-toronto/

Obviously, we don't know the exact reason why they couldn't exit the vehicle and there is a manual release. However, Tesla using electronic door locks could be a factor.

If I drove a Tesla I would definitely keep a hammer inside.

One of these is on every keychain I own. Spring loaded glass breaker and seatbelt cutter, in the size of a car key, for $10. Whether it’s for me, saving a stranger, or never having to use it, it’s worth it.

https://resqme.com/shop-now/

 

[nthach]

It was reported over 5 years ago that Tesla's electronic door mechanism may not release in the event of a crash trapping people inside the car.

We had another 4 people die because they couldn't exit a burning Tesla.

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2024/10/24/four-dead-electric-vehicle-crash-toronto/

Obviously, we don't know the exact reason why they couldn't exit the vehicle and there is a manual release. However, Tesla using electronic door locks could be a factor.

If I drove a Tesla I would definitely keep a hammer inside.

Hammers are almost worthless with laminated glass - and Tesla does it standard on their cars, AFAIK. Else, if you order laminated glass as an option, it’s only on the front doors and not the back doors/backlight. There’s exception to the rules.

 

[MrGraybeard]

Another fiery Tesla crash with multiple fatalities.

https://madison.com/news/local/crim...cle_8f8b9026-9ad9-11ef-9b7d-7b1a4e75e6d1.html

 

[JeffKeryk]

Teslas have a manual door handle in the arm rest; there is also one for the rear passengers, but it is a little more obscure.
One of the great things about buying a Tesla is the easy of taking delivery. Super fast, no up-selling, none of that stuff.
You are basically pointed to your car and off you go. Someone will go with you for inspection and questions, but if you don't know what to ask, how do you know what to ask? Plus, with any new car purchase, owners are generally pretty excited.

By the way, the poor knowledge transfer process is not unique to Tesla. I still don't know how to use a bunch of stuff on our Lexi, especially the RX.

Learning how your car works after an accident is a bad way to go...

 

[Torrid]

If anything the manual release is more accessible than the button release.

The manual release bypasses the door being locked as well. There's no way all four manual releases failed. Someone must not know they're there. The first time I was in a Model 3 I accidentally pulled the manual release. I can't remember what car brand used to have their latches in the spot where the manual release is, but I know I've operated a door like that in the past. The car yelled at me for not using the release button.

 

[Torrid]

Teslas have a manual door handle in the arm rest; there is also one for the rear passengers, but it is a little more obscure.
One of the great things about buying a Tesla is the easy of taking delivery. Super fast, no up-selling, no of that stuff.
You are basically pointed to your car and off you go. Someone will go with you for inspection and questions, but if you don't know what to ask, how do you know what to ask? Plus, with any new car purchase, owners are generally pretty excited.

By the way, the poor knowledge transfer process is not unique to Tesla. I still don't know how to use a bunch of stuff on our Lexi, especially the RX.

Learning how your car works after an accident is a bad way to go...

You have a point there. It's awesome as a repeat buyer, but first time buyers could probably use a bit more hands on. VW walked me through the whole setup on the GTI and even some of the hidden settings. It was the quickest I ever got to really know a car I owned that I hadn't owned before.

 

[ecotourist]

There is a mechanical release on all 4 doors of my Model 3. You're not supposed to use it for routine exits but owners and drivers should know about it.

I also have a shoulder harness cutting and window breaking tool in the center console of every car I own. Can't do more than that. [Could stay home I suppose.]

 

[wemay]

This will end badly .

It already did. Very sad situation. Terrible.

 

[wemay]

There is a mechanical release on all 4 doors of my Model 3. You're not supposed to use it for routine exits but owners and drivers should know about it.

I also have a shoulder harness cutting and window breaking tool in the center console of every car I own. Can't do more than that. [Could stay home I suppose.]

This , but only if it's explained to the new owner.

 

[wemay]

Can a BITOG owner take a picture of the manual release options in their vehicles so we have an idea of its ease of use.

 

[UncleDave]

If anything the manual release is more accessible than the button release.

The manual release is exactly where you'd expect a manual latch to be on an Ice car, so much so every time I get in one I use that by mistake vs. the button.

Tesla doesn't like you to do because this move flips the lock and the temporary window crack feature making opening and closing easier on you and the seals.

We'll see exactly what happened in this case at some point.

 

[Torrid]

The latch in question can be seen in this picture just ahead of the window switch. This is the passenger door on my Model Y and the Model 3 is the same. The button higher up on the door handle is the power release for the latch.

 

[JeffKeryk]

If anything the manual release is more accessible than the button release.

The manual release bypasses the door being locked as well. There's no way all four manual releases failed. Someone must not know they're there. The first time I was in a Model 3 I accidentally pulled the manual release. I can't remember what car brand used to have their latches in the spot where the manual release is, but I know I've operated a door like that in the past. The car yelled at me for not using the release button.

Very common in my 5+ years of ownership.

 

[nthach]

Now on the Cybertruck, Tesla wants a panel removed to access the emergency mechanical bypass IIRC.

Supposedly, there’s a hidden emergency bypass from the outside too when I was looking at Tesla’s documentation in case the 48V dies.

 

[CKN]

Another "pontification thread/anti EV thread" -"there is a manual release as stated. Until the investigation is complete-we do not know.

You can google "fiery crash over the weekend" and many of those have resulted in deaths as well.

 

[ecotourist]

The first time I was in a Model 3 I accidentally pulled the manual release. I can't remember what car brand used to have their latches in the spot where the manual release is, but I know I've operated a door like that in the past.

Seems to me the door handle on many GM products was in exactly the same spot. If you don't know about Teslas that's exactly how you will open the door - and then get yelled at.

The electric opener slightly lowers the window before releasing the door which is easier on the window and easier on the window seal.