Topic

nhtsa

35 stories tagged nhtsa on EV Digest.

NHTSA Eyes New Regulations for Vehicle Door Handles to Improve Egress Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has indicated its intent to propose new rules aimed at standardizing and simplifying how all vehicle doors are opened from the inside. This move seeks to prevent scenarios where occupants, particularly in emergency situations, struggle to exit a vehicle due to complex or unconventional door-opening mechanisms. While not exclusively targeting EVs, some newer electric vehicle designs have featured flush or unique door handle types that could be impacted.

July 28, 2026Motor1NHTSA

NHTSA Rejects Tesla Door Handle Probe, Eyes Broader Safety Rules for EV Doors

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has declined a petition to investigate Tesla's unconventional door handles. Instead of focusing on one automaker, the agency plans to develop new, broader safety regulations for vehicle door systems, potentially influencing future EV designs. This move aims to address potential safety concerns related to non-traditional door mechanisms across the automotive industry.

July 28, 2026Road & TrackNHTSA

New NHTSA Safety Rules May Require Tesla to Redesign Door Handles

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has indicated it will develop new rules for vehicle door latch and lock systems. This move stems from a petition highlighting safety concerns with electronic door releases, particularly in emergency situations. The potential new standards could impact Tesla and other automakers using non-mechanical door handles across their vehicle lineups.

July 27, 2026Not a Tesla AppTesla

NHTSA to Develop New Door Safety Regulations Following Tesla-Related Fatalities

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is initiating efforts to establish new safety standards for vehicle doors. This move comes after several incidents, including some involving Tesla vehicles, where occupants were unable to exit the car after crashes due to various door-related issues. The agency aims to address these concerns to improve post-crash egress for all vehicle occupants.

July 24, 2026Bloomberg (Google News)NHTSA

NHTSA Eyes New Safety Rules for Interior Door Releases After Tesla Recall

Following a recall of certain Tesla models over potential interior door release failures, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it will develop new general regulations for interior door handles across all vehicles. This move aims to prevent occupants from being trapped inside cars during emergencies, a concern highlighted by the design of some Tesla door mechanisms. The new standards could impact future vehicle designs beyond Tesla.

July 24, 2026InsideEVsNHTSA

NHTSA Rejects Tesla Model 3 Door Investigation, Begins New Industry-Wide Safety Rules

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has denied a petition to investigate alleged defects in the manual door releases of 2022 Tesla Model 3 vehicles. This decision comes despite the agency simultaneously announcing plans to develop new door safety regulations that will apply to all automakers. NHTSA cited a lack of widespread complaints as the reason for denying the Tesla-specific probe.

July 24, 2026ElectrekNHTSA

NHTSA Eyes Stricter Door Safety Regulations Following Tesla Criticisms

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering new, broader regulations regarding vehicle door safety, spurred in part by concerns over Tesla's electronic door handles. While NHTSA declined to open a defect investigation into Tesla's specific door release mechanism, the agency acknowledges the broader safety implications for passengers exiting vehicles after a crash. This move suggests potential industry-wide changes to how car doors function in emergencies.

July 24, 2026The Verge - TransportationNHTSA

Tesla Reports Record 207 Autopilot and FSD Crashes in One Month to NHTSA

Tesla's assisted driving systems, Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD), were involved in a record 207 reported crashes within a single month. This unprecedented number, disclosed by Tesla to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), coincides with the company's aggressive push for broader FSD adoption. Critics note that Tesla continues to redact critical incident details in these crash reports.

July 22, 2026ElectrekTesla

New Federal Headlight Standards To Address Glare From High-Output Tesla Beams

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is moving to implement new headlight performance regulations, prompted in part by complaints about excessive glare from modern high-intensity headlights, particularly those found on Tesla vehicles. This federal action could lead to better-designed adaptive lighting systems and a reduction in dangerous glare for oncoming drivers. The move comes as Congress has directed the agency to update outdated headlight standards.

July 21, 2026InsideEVsTesla

NHTSA Demands Tesla's 'Radar Saves Us' Document Amidst FSD Crash Investigation

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is intensifying its probe into crashes involving Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, specifically in low-visibility conditions. A key development in this investigation is NHTSA's demand for an internal Tesla document titled 'Radar Saves Us,' signaling a focus on the company's decision to remove radar sensors from its vehicles. This request is part of a broader information demand sent to Tesla, highlighting federal scrutiny over the capabilities and safety of FSD, particularly as it relates to sensor configurations.

July 21, 2026ElectrekTesla

NHTSA Presses AV Developers on First Responder Interference Issues

Federal regulators are raising concerns about autonomous vehicles interfering with emergency first responders. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is calling for meetings with AV companies to address these critical issues, aiming to improve safety protocols by the end of the month. This initiative follows numerous incidents where AVs have posed challenges for emergency personnel at accident scenes.

July 10, 2026Road & TrackNHTSA

NHTSA Eyes Rule Change to Remove Steering Wheels from Purpose-Built Robotaxis

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is exploring a significant regulatory shift that could pave the way for fully autonomous vehicles without traditional driver controls. This move aims to streamline the deployment of robotaxis and other driverless vehicles by eliminating the requirement for steering wheels and pedals in cars designed exclusively for autonomous operation. Such a change would address a major hurdle for companies developing Level 4 and Level 5 self-driving technologies.

July 10, 2026InsideEVsNHTSA

NHTSA Warns Autonomous Vehicle Developers: Prepare for First Responders

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under the Trump administration issued a stern warning to autonomous vehicle (AV) developers. The agency emphasized that self-driving cars must be able to safely interact with first responders or risk posing a significant danger to the public. This guidance highlights the critical need for AV technology to account for real-world emergency scenarios and effective communication with human personnel.

July 10, 2026NHTSA Press ReleasesNHTSA

NHTSA Warns Robotaxi Companies: Stop Impeding First Responders Or Face Action

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a stern warning to autonomous vehicle companies, emphasizing that their robotaxis must not interfere with emergency service operations. This comes amid increasing reports of self-driving cars blocking fire trucks, ambulances, and police, leading to potentially critical delays. NHTSA stressed that public trust in this nascent technology is paramount and is earned by ensuring safety and cooperation, implying potential regulatory action if issues persist.

July 10, 2026InsideEVsNHTSA

Cadillac Recalls 14,000 Vistiq EVs Over Third-Row Seat Safety Hazard

Cadillac is issuing a recall for over 14,000 Vistiq electric SUVs due to a defect in the one-touch folding third-row seats. The issue could prevent the seats from returning to their upright position if they encounter resistance, posing a potential risk of trapping occupants. This safety concern impacts models from the 2026 model year.

July 7, 2026Road & TrackCadillac

Cadillac Issues Recall for 14,000 Vistiq EVs Due to Child Safety Hazard

Cadillac is recalling approximately 14,000 of its 2027 Vistiq EV crossovers, citing a defect that could potentially trap small children in the third-row seat. The issue, which General Motors identified last month, involves a mechanism that prevents the rearmost seats from folding back correctly while occupied, posing a significant safety risk. Although GM has halted Vistiq shipments, a permanent fix for the problem is not yet available.

July 6, 2026InsideEVsCadillac

U.S. Regulators Deny Polestar's Appeal to Sell Cars Built After 2026

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has denied Polestar's petition to continue selling vehicles in the U.S. that are manufactured after the 2026 model year. This decision stems from a long-standing ruling that prohibits Chinese-made vehicles from being directly imported and sold here, a rule the brand believes it should be exempt from due to its unique ties to Volvo.

June 26, 2026Ars Technica - CarsPolestar

NHTSA Opens Investigation Into Fatal Tesla Crash in Texas Home

Federal safety regulators are investigating a deadly Tesla crash in Katy, Texas, where a Model 3 veered off the road, plowed through a residence, and killed a 76-year-old woman. The incident, which occurred on June 20, is under scrutiny after the driver claimed the vehicle was operating on Autopilot at the time of impact. This marks another instance of NHTSA examining Tesla's advanced driver-assistance systems in a lethal collision.

June 22, 2026ElectrekTesla

Waymo Issues Software Recall for Thousands of Robotaxis After Repeated Construction Zone Incidents

Waymo is recalling 448 self-driving vehicles, including its entire operational fleet, to update software following issues where its robotaxis entered construction zones and collided with objects like fences. This action comes after 17 reported incidents across Phoenix and San Francisco between December 2023 and February 2024, prompting an NHTSA investigation.

June 22, 2026Road & TrackWaymo