https://www.autoblog.com/news/rivian-may-redesign-its-doors-after-teslas-cybertruck-lawsuit-fallout
A Growing Concern Around Electronic Door Handles
Automakers have steadily moved toward electronic door handles in the last decade, trading traditional mechanical latches for sleeker, more aerodynamic solutions. The design trend appeals to both styling and efficiency goals, but it has also introduced new safety concerns. Manual emergency releases are often tucked away or difficult to locate, raising questions about how quickly occupants can exit a vehicle in an emergency.
Rivian is taking these concerns seriously as it prepares its R2 SUV for launch next year. Following feedback from employees and customers, the company is revising its interior door layout. According to Bloomberg, the manual releases will be positioned closer to the powered handles in a more visible spot, making them easier to identify and operate.
The move comes at a time when door handle design is under heightened scrutiny, particularly after a lawsuit tied to Tesla’s Cybertruck has brought the issue into sharper focus.
Rivian
The Cybertruck Lawsuit and Its Fallout
Tesla is facing litigation in California state court over a fatal Cybertruck crash in Piedmont late last year. According to Automotive News, four people were involved in the incident, with the Cybertruck reportedly traveling over 80 mph when it left the road. It then collided with a tree and a retaining wall, and caught fire. Three occupants died of smoke inhalation, while one passenger was rescued after a friend broke the window.
Families of two victims, 20-year-old Jack Nelson and 19-year-old Krysta Tsukahara, argue that design flaws in the Cybertruck’s doors turned a survivable crash into a fatal fire. The Cybertruck does not use traditional handles; its exterior doors are opened with small buttons near the windows, while manual releases inside are difficult to find – not the first time happening inside a Tesla. The plaintiffs also contend that Tesla’s reinforced glass and stainless-steel doors made escape or rescue attempts significantly harder.
The lawsuit states that Tesla is aware of the problematic door design, but chose to ignore it. Trials for the suit are scheduled to begin in 2027.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E Recall
Tesla is not the only automaker facing issues with electronic door latches. Ford recently recalled nearly 200,000 Mustang Mach-E electric crossovers in the United States, with an additional 120,000 affected abroad due to a similar issue. According to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a weak 12-volt battery could cause the doors to remain locked after being shut. In some cases, the cars would not unlock even when jump-started.
Ford acknowledged that the problem could trap passengers inside or prevent access to children left in the vehicle. One report surfaced of a baby stuck in a Mach-E for nearly 40 minutes before being freed. The company has issued a stop-sale order and will address the issue with a software update.
via Autoblog https://ift.tt/CuY0LFj
October 6, 2025 at 10:08AM