Rear door won’t open

[Glan gluaisne]

Out of interest, does anyone know whether or not the external door handle will open the rear doors if the electric catch fails?

If it does, then the issue isn't as serious from a safety perspective, as above, it's just like having mechanical child locks engaged.

 

[Medved_77]

Out of interest, does anyone know whether or not the external door handle will open the rear doors if the electric catch fails?

If it does, then the issue isn't as serious from a safety perspective, as above, it's just like having mechanical child locks engaged.

Page 24 of the emergency response guide suggests that...

"If the door handles do not function, open a front door manually by reaching inside the window and using the mechanical release handle."

So I suspect the rear doors might not open at all with no power to the car. I think this guide assumes that you've already isolated the battery by cutting the first responder loop:

https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/downloads/Model_3_Emergency_Response_Guide_en.pdf

 

[DS8819]

If you have kids in the back of any car you absolutely would enable a child lock to stop them falling out, in most vehicles this is mechanical, so it wouldn't operate the door in the case of a crash whether the (redundant) power was available or not.

It's a long time since I have used child locks, but if I remember correctly the door can still be opened from the outside can't it?

Parents teach their kids to climb into the front if they need to exit in an emergency.

Not so with toddlers strapped into a child seat.

Or if unconscious due to the impact of an accident.... or overcome with fumes.

This isn't a safety issue, which is why Tesla passes the stringent requirements for the EU.

Clearly the requirements aren't stringent enough. If a door cannot be opened from the outside in case of emergency it most definitely is a potential safety issue.

The fact is that Tesla have designed the car without measures to mitigate the issue thus compromising the safety of the rear occupants unnecessarily.

Where they *have* fitted a manual mechanical release to be used in such circumstances (model Y) it appears that it is buried deep within the structure of the car, is not readily inaccessible, and requires tools to be able to access it, then have to faff about trying to fish out the wire through a very small aperture.

This is supposed to be a 21st century car incorporating state of the art safety features.

Not good.

 

[MrBadger]

Is not having emergency door release for rear doors much different to having a 2 door car? Granted that many 2 door cars may have fold forward front seats, but many don't.

 

[GRiLLA]

It's a long time since I have used child locks, but if I remember correctly the door can still be opened from the outside can't it?

I think you are confusing things here. The only difference between front and back is the interior emergency door release in the front.

Not so with toddlers strapped into a child seat.

Or if unconscious due to the impact of an accident.... or overcome with fumes.

The interior door handles aren't much use in any of these scenarios.

 

[Irata]

There is always the chance, in any crash, on any car, that the door will not open and even with any manual release. The door could have become deformed and that's when a glass hammer may help.

 

[n47h4n]

There is always the chance, in any crash, on any car, that the door will not open and even with any manual release. The door could have become deformed and that's when a glass hammer may help.

Agreed! Glass hammer in the centre console, also has a seatbelt cutter.

 

[DS8819]

Is not having emergency door release for rear doors much different to having a 2 door car? Granted that many 2 door cars may have fold forward front seats, but many don't.

Yes, hence why I have never owned a 2 door car with rear seats! I wouldn't put my kids in the back of either.

 

[DS8819]

I think you are confusing things here. The only difference between front and back is the interior emergency door release in the front.

No, I'm not confused, I am relating to your mention if a mechanical child lock, that has a catch located in the door jamb. Prevents the door from being opened from the inside but not the outside.

The interior door handles aren't much use in any of these scenarios.

Correct, the interior door handles don't work....that is the purpose of the child lock! But the outside ones do work in these scenarios if the doors are unlocked by the central locking switch or in the event of a collision.

 

[pgkevet]

There are other emergencies apart from crashes. Having reliable door opening methods should be a fundamental prerequisite

 

[Dilly]

I had some involvement in car safety many years ago. At that time a crash sensor deactivated certain bits of electrical equipment.

Assuming the same sort of precautions are mandated these days, it would be my expectation that the rear doors either release on impact or a safety circuit is deployed to ensure they can be opened

It remains by no means ideal that a mechanical option isn’t immediately available.

I have emailed the question, as to how lack of a mechanical option is mitigated, to NCAP

 

[Jes6799]

Ok I have the same issue with my Model Y. Just started happening yesterday. Back driver side will not open. Window engages but door won’t release. I tried from inside and outside. Even with pressure. Did anyone find a resolution that fixed this issue?

 

[Traguar]

Ok I have the same issue with my Model Y. Just started happening yesterday. Back driver side will not open. Window engages but door won’t release. I tried from inside and outside. Even with pressure. Did anyone find a resolution that fixed this issue?

I'd suggest asking in the USA section - Uk is not going to be much help for a car we don't even have

 

[Camronthegreat]

*UPDATE* Apparently there IS a manual release....buried at the base of the door... but requires tools to access it!

In the event of an emergency no way would anyone trapped in the rear of the car get out (child possibly), or anyone get it open from outside to aid rescue. I would not risk putting my child in the rear that's for sure.

Crazy!

Not for the model 3

 

[gadgetfreaky]

From the inside take out the 2 boots holding the door panel. And then lift up while pushing out the trim got stuck.

 

[DoricJim]

 

[debrooker]

Agreed! Glass hammer in the centre console, also has a seatbelt cutter.

Have one of these also and the kids know what it is and when to use




just realised this is an old thread