2017 Tesla Model S: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed May 1, 2025 · AZ · crash · fire · 2 injuries

I am reporting a traumatic incident involving a 2017 Tesla Model S (loaner) that crashed on [XXX], in Arizona while Autopilot was engaged. We were traveling eastbound at 55 mph on [XXX] near [XXX] when the vehicle suddenly pulled hard left into the median and hit a tree. I briefly lost consciousness and suffered a concussion; my passenger sustained a broken back and thumb. Smoke rose from the car, and doors wouldn't open. I’m claustrophobic—it was terrifying. I managed to exit via the front passenger door but couldn't move my friend due to possible spinal injuries. This incident changed our lives. I have chronic back pain and PTSD. My friend hasn’t worked since. Tesla has not taken accountability. I was told internal footage exists and others have seen it, but I’ve never been given access. No third party (manufacturer, police, or insurer) has inspected the vehicle—only Tesla. I tried to buy the wreck at auction to preserve evidence but; my bid for a totaled tesla was $10k, it was declined. There were no warning lights or alerts before the crash. Autopilot failed. If the car had veered into traffic or pedestrians, people might’ve died. Instead of support, I was found at fault by AAA (despite no citation), received six points, and my premium rose to $2,200/month. Tesla must be held accountable. Consumers deserve transparency. Autopilot gave no warning and couldn’t avoid a tree in broad daylight. I urge the federal safety agency to investigate this crash, request the vehicle’s data/video, and provide resources for victims of vehicle tech failures. I can supply witness contacts and medical documentation. Please help. Complacency is going cost lives. There should be a class action lawsuit. Blood on the hands of Tesla for using humans as test rats. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 23, 2023 · Body · CA

The driver side door handle does not present itself. It is now stuck and doesn't open. I need to press the door handle a certain way in order to open the door. This is a safety issue because in the case of an accident somebody who is not aware how to open the door maybe confused. This has not been inspected by a dealer. There is no police case or report related to this.

Filed Jan 9, 2023 · Body · CA

Driver side door will not open from the outside of the car. The latch is not releasing inside. However the door can be open from the inside. The handles present themselves but it seems to be an issue with the latch releasing so the door can open. This can lead to a really bad outcome if it was an emergency situation. There has already been one fatality because of this known defect and I don't want to become another statistic. Tesla needs to recall all vehicles that are having this issue and fix it.

Filed Nov 15, 2022 · Locks · 83,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while his father was driving at a slow speed, the rear driver’s side door independently opened. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that his father pulled over and closed the door; however, the door opened independently. Due to the failure, his father was forced to drive the vehicle back home with the door ajar with the chime and the door ajar message displayed. The contact was able to shut the door; however, the door handle failed to operate as needed the next day. The contact called a Tesla service center and was given no assistance. The contact stated that prior to the failure, all three of his other door handles had failed while raining. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

Filed Sep 22, 2022 · NJ

Fingers can get caught in the retracting door handles which retract if the key fob is pressed while fingers are in the door handle

Filed Apr 5, 2022 · Electrical · TX

My vehicle driver door handle keeps popping open while parked and while driving. The door handle will either present itself or Not when this occurs. Disallowing me keep door shut. Also, door stays shut as times and doesn’t not present itself and makes a mechanical sound. This is a HUGE safety concern. I was advised since my warranty is up, it’s on me to fix, however, this is a safety defect and I am wanting to escalate ASAP before I have an accident from the door opening.

Filed Oct 8, 2021 · Body, Locks · WI

I have a 2017 Tesla Model S whose warranty just expired. The Model S is known for door handle defects and my car is no exception. The door handles on the Model S extend and retract and the defective design causes wire failure. This is well documented on the teslamotorsclub.com forums. I paid Tesla to replace the front passenger handle which would present but not open the door when pulled. Since this was an inconvenience and a safety issue I paid to have it replaced even though Tesla should cover the defect repair. I just checked my remaining door handles and they do not extend to open the door when the car is unlocked. The only one that functions is the new one I paid to replace. This means that if I were unconscious in the drivers seat anyone responding to aid me wouldn’t be able to open my door from the outside. In fact unless they started breaking in only one door would work. My chances don’t sound that great! I contacted Tesla with my concerns and they have provided me with a quote for replacement. I think they should cover the repair and recall all Model S to replace known defective handles. My car has version 2.5 of the defective design. The replacement I paid for is the 3.0 design which allegedly finally fixes the defect. I’m a Tesla shareholder and I know it would be expensive but everyone should have working door handles.

Filed Jan 28, 2021 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 22,000 miles · IL

The tesla model s main screen blacked out, causing me to not have access to any of the car's control system other than to drive it (no backup camera, climate control, music, door locking, suspension adjusting, turn signal chiming, and other essential safety featues). When I took it to tesla, they identified the problem but told me to fix the root of it, I'd have to pay for an "mcu2 upgrade" of over $1000 even though they know the computer chip is bad (and will go bad again). This happens sometimes while the car is parked and other times when in motion.

Filed Nov 23, 2020 · Electrical · 29,900 miles · MI

I have reached out to tesla to fix the problems I've been having with my mcu, multiple times. They always try to come up with some excuse not to replace it with the mcu2. One service tech actually told me that my problems would be solved if I purchased the 'infotainment upgrade' that gives me the new mcu. Another tech told me that the mcu isn't covered under warranty at all. I refuse to pay $2500 for an 'upgrade' to fix my problems, when this should be their responsibility. I have had multiple camera failures resulting in driver aid functionality being reduced or eliminated all together, and the only way to fix it is by recalibrating the cameras. I have had door handles stop working at random times, that end up requiring a full reset of the car to repair. My central screen crashes/reboots at random, whether or not the vehicle is in motion. When that happens, none of the controls on the touchscreen are usable, and some of those are what I consider to be essential controls. For instance, climate/defogging ability is reduced or eliminated. I have been in for service multiple times now, almost all of the appointments were for things controlled by the mcu. They also have told me that my vehicle doesn't qualify for the emmc warranty repair/replacement, because it only covers 'end of life' components. The vehicle is still under the full warranty as well. I have another outstanding service appointment scheduled for december 1st. I have requested a new mcu again, but will not be surprised if they deny me. I have many photographs and screenshots as evidence.