Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe family of Samuel Tremblett has sued Tesla in Massachusetts, alleging that the interior door-release design kept him from escaping a 2021 Model Y after a crash. Those claims have not been established in court. The case also differs from federal safety reviews involving exterior access on 2021 Model Ys and manual-release placement in 2022 Model 3s.
What the Tremblett lawsuit alleges
Electrek reported on Feb. 6, 2026, that Tremblett’s family filed suit after a 2021 Tesla Model Y left the road and struck a tree in Massachusetts on Oct. 25, 2025. The family alleges that the interior door-handle design prevented him from getting out and seeks damages, including for conscious pain and suffering. These are allegations described in reporting, not findings by a court. Electrek’s report linked to the complaint, but the filing itself was not independently reviewed here; its exact wording and the case’s current docket status are therefore not established.
Tremblett’s obituary identifies him as Samuel David Tremblett, age 20, and gives his dates as Aug. 23, 2005, to Oct. 29, 2025. The reported crash date and the obituary’s date of death are different.
Could Tesla’s door handles prevent someone from escaping?
The lawsuit raises that question, but it does not answer it as a proven fact. Electrek describes the Model Y as having an electronic interior release and a separate manual release. According to that report, the front manual release is near the armrest, while the rear release is less apparent and located in a door pocket. These details are specific to the Model Y as described in the report; they should not be assumed to apply to every Tesla model or model year.
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- 【Interchange Part Number】:1042845-00-A、1042845-000-B、104284500A、104284 500B
- 【Fits For】:2012-2020Tesla Model S
- 【Upgraded product material】: Door handle lever gear is made of SUS304 stainless steel, which is cast and plated on the surface. It has high strength, is not easily damaged, and has a longer service life. The others are made of zinc alloy, which is easy to break.
- 【Product advantages】: Compared with zinc alloy, SUS304 stainless steel has stronger corrosion resistance, is not easy to rust, and has a longer service life. It is a perfect replacement part for your car.
- 【Perfect match】:Direct replacement for the broken door handle paddle gear,perfect match for the original one.
It is important to distinguish interior egress—getting out from inside—from exterior access—opening a door from outside. Federal safety activity cited below addresses different models and concerns; it does not decide what happened in Tremblett’s car.
What NHTSA is investigating about 2021 Model Y exterior access
On Sept. 15, 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened preliminary evaluation PE25010 concerning reports that outside access to 2021 Model Y doors could fail when low 12-volt battery voltage affected the electronic locks. NHTSA’s opening resume estimated a population of 174,290 vehicles. It described an investigation into exterior lock operability—not a finding about the interior egress allegation in the Tremblett lawsuit. NHTSA’s PE25010 opening resume and the agency’s 2021 Model Y page provide the agency material.
Rank #2
- 【Reliable Quality】: Our door handle repair kit is made of high quality materials. The microswitch harness is tested before shipping for stable and reliable performance and high sensitivity.
- 【304 Stainless Steel】: Our door paddle gear is made of high quality 304 stainless steel, which has excellent wear resistance and high strength. Compared with zinc alloy, 304 stainless steel has better mechanical properties than zinc alloy, especially in terms of corrosion resistance and weather resistance.
- 【Fit for】: This door handle repair kit fits for Tesla Model S 2012-2017. Only fits for Tesla Model S first-generation and second-generation door handles from 2012 to mid-2017, not for third-generation door handles.
- 【Replace Part Number】: The replacement part numbers for this door handle repair kit are 1042845-00-A, 1042845-00-B and 1016009-00-C.
- 【Easy Installation】: This door handle rebuild kit is manufactured to meet specifications for fit, form and function. It is easy to install, direct replacement for the broken door handle paddle gear, perfect match to the original one.
The opening summary counted nine owner questionnaires reporting inability to open doors; four said owners broke a window to regain access. It listed zero crashes, fires, injuries, or fatalities among those nine reports. Those figures describe the reports in the investigation’s opening summary, not all Tesla incidents or a general fatality count.
NHTSA said the exterior-lock issue could involve insufficient voltage to operate electronic locks. Its resume describes restoring power to outside door locks by applying 12 volts DC from a separate source to two exterior access points. It also discusses interior manual releases, while noting that the evaluation focused on outside access, for which it found no manual way to open the door from outside. The agency wrote: “Entrapment in a vehicle is particularly concerning in emergency situations, such as when children are entrapped in a hot vehicle.”
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- 【Direct OEM Fitment】: Door handle upgrade rebuild kit, precision-engineered to match OE specifications for Tesla Model S 2012-2017. Compatible with part numbers 1016009, 1016009-00, 1016009-00-C, 1025401-00, 1042845, 1042845-00, 1042845-00-A, 1042845-00-B. This kit repairs one single door handle, order multiple kits if you need to fix more than one door. If you have any questions regarding the suitability, feel free to ask for help
- 【Upgraded Durability Construction】: Reinforced motor with copper wiring replaces original fragile plastic components, paired with 304 stainless steel paddle gear. Reduces common jamming issues, extends the service life of your door handle assembly to over 5 years, no frequent repeated repairs needed
- 【Full Complete Rebuild Set】: Includes all required components for full door handle restoration: microswitch harness, door paddle gear, shaft clips, door panel clips and all necessary installation hardware. No extra separate purchases of small spare parts required, you get every piece you need in one package
- 【Fixes 2 Common Failure Symptoms】: Directly resolves two most frequent for Tesla Model S door handle issues. For symptom that handle does not pop out when you walk up or press key fob, the stainless steel paddle gear replaces the cracked original plastic part to restore normal pop-out function. For symptom that handle pops out fine but door does not open when pulled, the upgraded microswitch harness fixes the failed detection switch to restore normal door opening action
- 【Cost Effective DIY Solution】: Avoid high service center labor and full door handle assembly replacement costs. You can finish the full repair at home with basic common hand tools, no need to visit professional auto repair shops and pay expensive service fees, save hundreds of dollars on unnecessary full part replacement
What NHTSA decided about 2022 Model 3 manual releases
A separate NHTSA decision addressed a petition about the location and identification of mechanical releases in 2022 Model 3 vehicles—not the Tremblett crash or PE25010. In a July 2026 Federal Register notice, NHTSA denied that petition, saying Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 206 did not address the petitioner’s specific concern about release location and labeling. The agency also said a separate petition seeking a rule requiring an obvious door-egress system had been granted for rulemaking. The Federal Register notice identified 179,031 subject 2022 Model 3 vehicles and one complaint as of March 13, 2026; the complaint concerned the same VIN as the petition and was not a fatality total.
That petition denial is not a blanket safety endorsement of Tesla door designs. It is the agency’s decision on the specific petition and the regulatory scope it considered.
Rank #4
- 【Replace】The Door Handle Repair Kit replaces# 1042845-00-A 1042845-00-B 1016009-00-C
- 【Fitment】 The Door Handle Repair Kit fits for Tesla Model S 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (fits 2012 to mid 2017 model S Generation 1 and Generation 2 door handles, not fits Generation 3 handles)
- 【Feature】 Our Door Handle Repair Kit is Reliable and stable, perfect matched, providing long life time. With high response speed, our door handle micro switch with good corrosion protection. The door handle repair kit only takes you few minutes to finish installation with suitable design.
- 【Package Including】 1 * Micro switch Harness ; 1 * Door Paddle Gear ; 1 * Shaft Clip ; 4 * Water Barrier Clip ; 8 * Door Panel Clips
- 【Notice】 Please confirm the part number, fitment details and pictures listed are the same as your needs.
A separate lawsuit involved a 2018 Model 3
The Associated Press reported on another lawsuit, concerning a Jan. 7, 2023, crash in Tacoma involving a 2018 Model 3. That complaint alleged the door design thwarted bystanders trying to rescue the occupants. It is a separate case with different circumstances and allegations; it should not be merged with the Tremblett family’s suit. The Associated Press report describes that litigation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Restore Automatic Handle Functionality: Door handle motor gear efficiently transmits motor torque to the door handle, ensuring smooth extension and retraction during normal operation and restoring the automatic handle's functionality
- Resolve Common Handle Faults: Door handle repair gear designed to address issues such as handles failing to extend, retract, delayed response, or abnormal clicking sounds caused by worn internal gears
- Upgraded Metal Drive Gears: Constructed from durable metal materials, enhancing strength and wear resistance to ensure reliable performance even under repeated motor operation
- Precise Fit: Fit for Tesla Model S door handle motor assembly, perfectly matches the internal dimensions and meshing profile required, replace 1008993-00-A 1116199-00-C
- Direct Replacement Installation: Installs directly into the door handle motor, replacing worn gears and restoring functionality without complex procedures, suitable for targeted repairs and maintenance
What is established—and what remains unresolved
- Established in reporting: Electrek reported that Tremblett’s family sued Tesla over a 2021 Model Y crash in Massachusetts and described the family’s door-release allegation.
- Not established here: The allegation that the design prevented Tremblett from escaping has not been shown to be a court finding. The complaint’s exact language and the current docket status are unresolved.
- Separate agency matter: PE25010 concerns reported exterior-access failures for 2021 Model Ys in low-voltage circumstances; its opening summary’s counts are limited to the reports described there.
- Separate petition matter: NHTSA’s 2026 decision concerns manual-release placement and identification in 2022 Model 3s, and does not resolve the Tremblett allegations.
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