Tesla's electronic door handles that have been linked to several deaths could lead to tougher safety rules for the entire auto industry.
In a notice published today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that complaints about Tesla's mechanical door release don't warrant a defect investigation. Instead, the issue is better addressed through a broader rulemaking that would "mandate a robust and obvious door egress system in all motor vehicles," the safety regulator said. If finalized, all new vehicles would be subject to the new requirements.
Tesla's door handles, which operate electronically and sit flush against the ve …
