US safety regulator NHTSA has declined to open a Tesla-specific defect investigation into its electronic door releases, but says the problem may require new safety rules for all vehicles. The move matters because Tesla’s flush, electronically operated handles have been linked to cases in which occupants were trapped after crashes, sometimes in burning cars, and any future rule could affect the wider motor industry.

The decision followed a petition from engineer Kevin Clouse, who said he could not find the manual release after his 2022 Model 3 lost power and caught fire in a collision. NHTSA wants a “robust and obvious” exit system, while China has already banned electronic door handles and Congress has proposed requiring manual releases and emergency access for responders. Any US requirement is unlikely before 2030, as rulemaking typically takes two to five years and may face industry opposition.