Tesla Faces Fresh Safety Backlash: Model Y Door Handles Fail After Crash, Trapping 20-Year-Old Driver in Fatal Fire

On October 29, 2025, 20-year-old Samuel Tremblett died in Massachusetts after his Tesla Model Y crashed into a tree and caught fire. He was unable to escape because the vehicle’s electronic door handles failed. During a desperate 911 call, he cried out, “I can’t breathe—the car is on fire—I’m going to die.” His mother has since filed a wrongful death lawsuit. The suit alleges that at least 15 people have died in similar incidents since 2016. Although Tesla emphasizes safety, a Bloomberg investigation in September 2024 revealed over 140 reports in the U.S. since 2018 of Tesla doors becoming jammed shut. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that the mechanical emergency door release inside the vehicle is poorly positioned and difficult to operate—especially for children or passengers in a state of panic during emergencies.