Trapped Tesla Owner Couldn’t Find the Door Release Now Feds Want Answers

A recent incident involving a Tesla owner who reportedly couldn’t locate the manual door release has caught regulators’ attention. As vehicles rely more on electronic controls, safety officials are examining whether design choices could create risks during emergencies and what manufacturers may need to change.

Tesla Model 3

so this tesla thing… like, dude couldn’t get out because he didn’t know where the manual door thing was? that’s kinda scary, right? i get it though, the interior’s all screens and smooth panels and you’re like “where’s the button” and the car’s like “figure it out.” i sat in one once and accidentally opened the glove box instead of the door, not gonna lie. it’s like 40-something grand if you want one, but i swear half the price is just for the vibe. anyway, feels like cars shouldn’t need a manual to escape from them.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

i actually liked the mach-e… weirdly. it’s got this “wants-to-be-cool-but-tries-too-hard” energy, you know? kinda like that one gym teacher who wears skinny jeans. and the handles are buttons. more buttons. why is every car button now? if you’ve got fifty or so grand and a sense of humor, maybe it’s fine. but i can totally picture someone trapped yelling at their touchscreen like, “let me out!”

BMW i4

bmw interiors smell the same, have you noticed that? like fancy plastic. not leather, not new, just rich plastic. this one’s sleek though, maybe sixty grand-ish, but the door handles make me nervous. everything glows, everything clicks, and somehow it all feels like it might ask for a password. i actually touched the wrong thing once and turned on the hazard lights. classy, i know.

Hyundai Ioniq 6

so the ioniq 6… honestly, looks like a soap bar that decided to be aerodynamic. but it’s comfy, in a “cozy tech cocoon” kind of way. around 45k maybe? anyway, i saw someone struggle to unlock it once in a parking lot and just thought  wow, cars used to have keys. remember keys? metal things? good times.

Lucid Air

uh, okay, this one’s the tech nerd dream. like if a macbook had wheels. but i swear when i sat in one, i was scared to touch anything, like i’d accidentally order a $2000 update. price? oh, like way too much, maybe 80, 90 grand. doors open soft, whisper quiet, but god help you if the screen freezes. that’s an electric coffin right there.

Rivian R1S

i kinda love the rivian though. it’s chaotic and chunky, like a kid drew a truck and someone said “yeah let’s build that.” door handles pop out all fancy. again. why. it’s not a handshake, it’s a door. around 90k I think, but it makes camping feel like a personality trait, not a hobby. though if you get stuck in there… good luck finding the lever.

Chevrolet Bolt EV

the bolt is just vibes. no nonsense, no touchscreens screaming at you. it’s like thirty-something grand and just… chill. press, pull, drive. easy. i had one for a day and spilled iced tea on the seat, it didn’t judge me. no drama, no weird door rituals.

Mercedes EQE

mercedes, man. everything’s a ritual. you don’t open the door, you “initiate entry.” it’s smooth, heavy, fancy, around 75k or something, but if the power goes out, you’re basically glamorously stuck. interiors smell like perfume and stress. i like it… but i also hate that I like it. also why is the door heavy but stupidly fragile at the same time?

Toyota bZ4X

yes, the name sounds like a printer. i keep forgetting it’s a car. it’s fine though, very… normal? maybe mid-forties if you squint. same deal, too many digital buttons. i just miss a plain ol’ handle you can yank without asking HAL-9000 for permission.

Volvo EX30

small, boxy little thing. like a scandi ikea diffuser on wheels. costs, i dunno, 34-35k maybe. the funny thing? even with all that safety hype, it’s still got that one-button minimalist nonsense that makes you panic if power fails. volvo’s supposed to be chill, dependable. i feel betrayed a little. still, it’s cute.

Honda Prologue

saw one at a show, and i swear it still smelled like the honda i learned to drive in. familiar, basic, the kind of car that doesn’t overthink itself. mid-forty range maybe. no fancy door magic, just pull, open, get out. which ironically makes it feel like a luxury now.