Tesla Doors Probed by US Regulator After Trapping Occupants

US auto safety regulators are probing whether Tesla Inc. door handles are defective, scrutinizing an approach the company has taken with millions of vehicles sold for more than a decade.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration disclosed Tuesday that it’s evaluating electrically powered doors becoming inoperative on the 2021 Model Y. While the population of cars is limited — an estimated 174,290 vehicles — the regulator said it’s assessing the scope and severity of this condition, and suggested its probe could be expanded.

“This investigation will also assess the approach used by Tesla to supply power to the door locks ...