Elon Musk’s Tesla Sued After Couple Trapped, Burned In Model S Crash: Family Blames Door Design

Elon

Musk-owned Tesla is facing a new lawsuit after the family of a Wisconsin couple Jeffrey and Michelle Bauer, alleged that a design flaw in the Model S prevented them from escaping their vehicle following a fiery crash. The couple died after their car struck a tree on November 1, 2024.

Alleged Door Design Failure

According to a complaint filed by the Bauers’ four children, the Model S’s lithium-ion battery pack caused the electronic door systems to fail, trapping their parents inside. The family claims Tesla was aware of similar safety risks from past incidents but failed to take corrective action.The complaint points out that rear passengers like Michelle Bauer faced particular difficulty escaping, as they had to lift carpeting to access a small metal tab to open the doors -- a process described as unintuitive and time-consuming. A nearby homeowner reportedly heard screams coming from the car, underscoring how quickly the situation turned fatal.

Federal Probe Into Door Defects

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has confirmed an ongoing investigation into possible defects in Tesla’s door systems, following reports that handles failed to function properly in emergencies.This case comes shortly after another lawsuit involving a Cybertruck crash, where the families of two college students claimed the door design trapped occupants during a fire.The Wisconsin lawsuit states that Tesla’s design choices created "a highly foreseeable risk that occupants who survived a crash would remain trapped inside a burning vehicle."The estate of the car’s driver, accused of negligent driving, has also been named as a defendant. The case Bauer et al v. Tesla et al — was filed in the Dane County Circuit Court in Wisconsin.

Safety and Legal Implications

The lawsuit adds to growing scrutiny around Tesla’s vehicle safety and design practices, even as the company pushes forward with innovation in electric mobility. Legal experts say the case could influence how regulators and automakers address emergency escape mechanisms in electric vehicles going forward.