Tesla Responds to Lawsuit Alleging Model 3 Has Deadly Door Handles

Tesla is not the only automaker that employs the use of flush-fitting door handles, but it’s arguably facing the most heat over the design decision, and now, it has responded to a recent lawsuit filed by a man who was severely injured in one of its EVs. In case you’re unfamiliar, here’s a quick recap.

Plaintiff Jefferey L. Dennis was driving a 2018 Tesla Model 3 with his wife, Wendy, when the car allegedly accelerated out of control without driver input, crashed into a utility pole without automatic braking activation, and then caught fire. Unfortunately, the retractable door handles failed to allow bystanders to open the doors, claims the lawsuit, and they had to break a window to get the couple out. Sadly, Wendy died, and her husband sustained extreme burns to his legs, among other injuries.

Tesla’s Response to the Lawsuit

While the lawsuit contends that the EV manufacturer is responsible for damages because the occupants were not warned about the manual door release inside the car, among other defects, Tesla told the judge it is not responsible for the crash or any injuries and disputes the allegations in the lawsuit in their entirety, reports CarComplaints.com. But besides denying that it holds responsibility for the alleged defects, Tesla’s primary concern is a claim for punitive damages, whose sole purpose is to punish a company for alleged wrongdoing. If past automotive punitive damages are any indication, this could cost Tesla billions of dollars, and Elon Musk’s company says punitive damages should not be part of the lawsuit.

Related: China Is Banning Tesla-Style Retractable Door Handles Over Safety Concerns

An extract from Tesla’s response to the lawsuit reads as follows: “Here, Plaintiffs allege that the crash occurred on January 7, 2023. But Plaintiffs did not file their Complaint until nearly three years later, on November 21, 2025. Plaintiffs’ claim for punitive damages is therefore untimely, as it was filed long after the applicable two-year statute of limitations period had run. What happened to the Dennises is a tragedy, but, under applicable, binding law, their claim for punitive damages must be dismissed.”

Numerous Tesla Victims and Lawsuits

This lawsuit isn’t an isolated case. Several parents claim their kids were trapped in Teslas after the door handles failed, and like the Dennises, some of these incidents have turned deadly. According to a recent Bloomberg investigation, at least 15 people have died in Tesla crashes due to faulty electric door handles, and the problem has become so widespread that regulators are considering whether the handles require a rethink of safety regulations. Unfortunately, it seems that litigation will continue for a long time to come, as Tesla continues to deny responsibility in cases across the country.