Tesla being probed in US over "entrapment" risk from doors

US auto safety officials opened an investigation into a 2021 Tesla Inc model after parents were unable to open the vehicle from the outside, according to an announcement reviewed Tuesday by AFP.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it received nine complaints over the Tesla Model Y, including instances where a parent was unable to retrieve a child put in the back seats.

In four cases, the parent resorted "to breaking a window to regain entry into the vehicle," the agency said in a posting on its website.

Tesla vehicles have manual door releases inside the cabin, but a child may not be able to access them, the notice said.

"Entrapment in a vehicle is particularly concerning in emergency situations, such as when children are entrapped in a hot vehicle," the NHTSA said.

A preliminary review suggests the condition occurs when the electronic door lock receives insufficient voltage. However, Tesla owners surveyed did not report seeing a low voltage battery warning.

The NHTSA is opening a "preliminary evaluation" to assess the "scope and severity of this condition," the agency said.