FYI: Concerns are rising about the safety of Tesla Cybertruck’s emergency door release system.
Tesla Cybertruck’s Rear Emergency Door Release Raises Safety Concerns
If you’re riding in the back seat of a Tesla Cybertruck and an emergency occurs, you might be in for a challenging escape. Like many electric vehicles, the Cybertruck’s doors operate electronically. In cases where the battery dies or there’s a power outage, special emergency releases are supposed to enable occupants to exit the vehicle regardless of its power state. Unfortunately, the system designed for the Cybertruck’s rear doors may not be up to the task.
The Emergency Door Release Issue
Tesla has equipped the Cybertruck with manual releases for its doors, meant to be used when the vehicle has no power. While this sounds straightforward, the implementation for the rear doors is far from user-friendly.
The process to manually open the rear doors involves three steps:
- Remove the rubber mat at the bottom of the map pocket in the rear door.
- Undo the small plastic flap—though the manual indicates this flap is "if equipped," suggesting it may not be present in all Cybertrucks.
- Pull the small release cable forward.
This complicated procedure is outlined in the Cybertruck’s manual:
"In the unlikely event that the Cybertruck loses low voltage power, the doors cannot be opened from inside the vehicle by pressing the interior door open/close buttons. Instead, use the manual door releases.
Note: The manual door release is designed to be used only when the Cybertruck does not have power. If the Cybertruck has power, use the interior door open buttons.
Caution: Do not use the manual door release while the vehicle is moving."
Potential Risks
Imagine a scenario where your Cybertruck loses power in the midst of an emergency such as a fire. The chances are slim, but these situations demand quick exits. The elaborate steps required to find and engage the manual door release buried in the door pocket could cost precious seconds, or even be impossible to execute under stress. How many drivers, let alone passengers, remember the exact steps or have read such detailed parts of the manual?
The location of the emergency cable, far from the reach of a quick grab, poses a significant safety risk. One might argue that the front seat’s emergency release is more accessible, but climbing into the front seat also sacrifices critical time.
Seeking Solutions
Tesla’s decision to place these emergency cables in hard-to-reach spots is questionable, but it mirrors a broader trend in vehicle design where style sometimes overhauls functionality. Hopefully, the frequency of these manual releases being needed stays low, though the track record of the Cybertruck suggests otherwise.
With safety concerns voiced by many, it remains essential for Tesla to consider redesigning these critical features to ensure they can be utilized effectively when needed most.
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Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
