I own a 2018 Tesla Model S. While it was still under warranty the passenger side door handle quit working and it was no longer possible to open that door. Tesla replaced the door handle at no change with a newly designed mechanism. It was explained to me that they redesigned the mechanism which had a high failure rate, and my car handles would no longer be installed in later cars. I asked if they would change all 4 door handles for me, and was told they would not. Now several years later, another door handle has failed. This time dangerously. The door pops open spontaneously, and therefore the car is not safe to drive. I have an appointment for repair, but at full cost. Should Tesla not cover the cost, as it makes the vehicle unsafe to drive, and they clearly knew about it when they originally sold me my car?
2018 Tesla Model S: doors won't lock, open or latch
6 of the 170 complaints about the 2018 Tesla Model S describe doors won't lock, open or latch.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- recalls
- 1
Doors won't lock, open or latch by model year
What owners say
I have repaired my Tesla door handles once under warranty and then again to a “3rd generation” out of warranty by a Tesla Service Center. 2 weeks after the “upgrade repair” another door handle stopped operating and would not close the car door continually unlocking and propping the door open while driving. I had to drive home with an open door handle. There was most recently a class action with another owner having the same issue, and numerous videos and articles posted online regarding the faulty safety defect.
Door handle not working and not popping out as expected and driver can’t go inside the car. A few complaints already from the internet and a lawsuit already filed by other owner and this seems to be recall already but nothing was mentioned yet Camera get blinded or get block easily with rain or sun. This is an issue if you’re using the autopilot.
Second door handle has failed and no longer unlatches door from outside, therefore dangerous to be unable to reach the back seats
Three of four (3/4) of door handles failed simultaneously. Doors failed to open resulting in inoperable doors. Driver’s door suffered random catastrophic failure, resulting in door abruptly opening while in motion. Brought to Tesla service center and notified that parts are on back order. With no other solution. Primary safety concern is door will randomly open again during operation. Service center could not offer alternate solution to securing or operating doors. Only solution until parts are received is to access doors from inside the vehicle through the one single operable door. This is a potential entrapment and major safety issue.
Multiple doorhandles are failing to be able to open the door from the outside when the door is unlocked I have a 2018 model s tesla and two of the doorhandles have failed already although the vehicle is unlocked when I pull on the door handle it's bears to open the door only way to open it is from the inside this could pose a potential safety hazard should I need to open the door from the outside
Related recalls
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
- What is wrong
- Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2014-2021 Model S vehicles. The front trunk latch assembly may be misaligned, preventing the secondary hood latch from engaging. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 113, "Hood Latch System."
- Risk
- If the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Tesla Service will inspect and reposition the latch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 18, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1‑877‑798‑3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-11-003.
Recall number 21V00B000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2018 Tesla Model S door locks
Is doors won't lock, open or latch a common problem on the 2018 Tesla Model S?
6 of 170 owner complaints about the 2018 Tesla Model S (4%) mention doors won't lock, open or latch. The model year with the most reports is 2015.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 Tesla Model S?
There is 1 recall and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2018 Tesla Model S
Adaptive cruise 22Phantom braking 14Sudden acceleration 14No deployment 5Backup camera 5Collision warning 5
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