NHTSA Takes First Step Toward Mandating Emergency Door Egress for All Vehicles

The U.S. auto safety regulator granted a petition to explore new standards for emergency door egress after incidents involving Tesla door handles, potentially affecting every automaker.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has agreed to consider a new safety standard that would require all motor vehicles to include an emergency door egress system, a move prompted by reports of occupants trapped inside cars during electrical failures.

In a notice published July 24, 2026, NHTSA granted a rulemaking petition that could lead to regulations mandating a reliable way for people to exit vehicles when power is lost. The agency denied a separate request to open a defect investigation into the emergency mechanical door release design on 2022 Tesla Model 3 vehicles, stating that the issue is better addressed through broader rulemaking.

“Granting a rulemaking petition does not mean NHTSA will issue a new safety standard; it commences gathering input to make an informed decision,” the agency said. NHTSA will now collect data and solicit public comments to determine whether a new rule is appropriate under the Vehicle Safety Act. If adopted, the requirements would apply to all new vehicles.

The decision follows an investigation NHTSA opened less than a year earlier into Tesla door handles after nine reports of owners being unable to enter their cars, sometimes with children inside. The agency’s initial review found that the handles might not function if the electronic door locks lack sufficient voltage from the battery system. Fatal incidents have also been reported involving flush, electronically operated door handles like those on Tesla vehicles.

Tesla designer Franz von Holzhausen stated in 2025 that the automaker was redesigning its door handles. Rivian also said last year that it was modifying the interior door handle on its R2 SUV, moving the manual release to a more prominent position near the electric handles.

NHTSA emphasized that granting the petition is only a preliminary step and does not guarantee a new rule will be issued. However, if finalized, the standard would reshape door designs across the automotive industry.