Tesla's controversial door handles and releases have once again ended up in NHTSA's lap. The feds officially denied a petition to investigate Tesla's door handles over safety concerns. Tesla's door handles have been controversial for about as long as its been making cars. NHTSA later opened an investigation into Tesla's handles, and lawmakers have proposed a law that would mandate manual backups in cars with electronic door handles. Earlier this year, China announced it would enforce more stringent rules on both interior and exterior door handles beginning in 2027.