US Congress Proposes SAFE Exit Act After Tesla Door Handle Deaths

New legislation aims to mandate intuitive manual door releases in electric vehicles.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:55am

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An abstract, blurred image of a Tesla Model 3 electric vehicle speeding down a highway, conveying a sense of modern engineering, power, and high-speed travel.As Congress targets Tesla's controversial door handle design, the electric vehicle's raw speed and engineering are abstractly captured in a blur of color and motion.Chicago Today

A new bill called the 'Securing Accessible Functional Emergency (SAFE) Exit Act' is being proposed in the US Congress in response to at least 15 reported deaths caused by Tesla's electronic door latch system. The legislation would require automakers to install easily identifiable manual door releases, even in the event of a power failure.

Why it matters

The shift towards electronic door latches in electric vehicles has raised safety concerns, as occupants can become trapped inside if the vehicle loses power during a crash or other emergency. The SAFE Exit Act aims to address this issue and ensure all vehicle occupants can exit safely, regardless of the car's power status.

The details

The SAFE Exit Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02), would mandate that the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) establish performance and labeling requirements for electric vehicle doors. This includes requiring automakers to install easy-to-find manual door releases for each door, even in the event of a power failure. The bill is backed by consumer advocacy groups like Consumer Reports, who have long pushed for intuitive manual releases.

  • At least 15 deaths have been reported due to issues with Tesla's electronic door latch system.
  • The SAFE Exit Act was introduced in the US Congress in April 2026.

The players

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly

The Illinois Congresswoman who introduced the SAFE Exit Act, citing Tesla's door design as a safety risk.

Elon Musk

The CEO of Tesla, whose company's electronic door latch system is a target of the proposed legislation.

National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

The federal agency that would be tasked with establishing performance and labeling requirements for electric vehicle doors under the SAFE Exit Act.

Consumer Reports

The consumer advocacy group that has long pushed for intuitive manual door releases in vehicles and is backing the SAFE Exit Act.

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What they’re saying

“Profits and, least of all, style, should not come before people's lives.”

— U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, Bill Sponsor

“Elon Musk and his Tesla designs are not safe, nor efficient, and it has cost people their lives. When crashes or power loss leave drivers and passengers trapped inside their own cars, that is not innovation—it's a safety failure.”

— U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, Bill Sponsor

What’s next

The SAFE Exit Act will now move through the legislative process, with a vote in the US House of Representatives expected in the coming months.

The takeaway

This legislation highlights the need to prioritize safety over aesthetics in vehicle design, especially as the automotive industry continues to adopt new electronic technologies. The SAFE Exit Act aims to ensure that all vehicle occupants can exit their cars quickly and safely, even in an emergency.