Locked Out! My Tesla Model S Door Handles Keep Breaking And Suck

Every single one of my 3 Tesla Model S cars I have owned over the years have had broken door handles. My newest S, a 2021 Model S Long Range has now had two door handles go bad. Tonight after work, I could not easily get into my car in my parking garage at work because I was locked out of the car because the drivers door handle simply stopped working. This video chronicles my situation...
Please subscribe to "Out of Spec Dave"
The more subscribers we have, the more awesome opportunities we will be able to bring to you!
Email: [e-mail]
Twitter: @outofspecdave
Find all of our Amazon must-haves here:
www.amazon.com...
Inquiries: [e-mail]
If you liked this video, we recommend checking out some of our other channels!
Out of Spec Motoring: / outofspecmotoring
Out of Spec Reviews: / outofspecreviews
#teslamodels #tesla #ev

[@InternetDude]

I drove Model S from 2015-2021. We had two of them for a while but got tired of all the repairs. Now have a RAV4 Prime and Lexus in the garage instead mainly due to poor quality of Tesla. If quality was better we’d have two newer Teslas in the garage instead.

[@AeschylusShepherd]

Thanks for sharing. This explains why we always see Teslas less than a year old already up for sale. This must be a bigger issue than I realized.

[@InternetDude]

@@AeschylusShepherd I have a few videos outlining all the issues I had, looong list.

[@InternetDude]

@@AeschylusShepherd Dave had his new car 2 months and already had 2 service visits. Yup that’s Tesla “quality” for ya.

[@markwright9025]

These types of things are so annoying. Over-engineered door handles. I love the custom license plate Dave!

[@mrdsn189]

Rich Rebuilds has come up with a permanent fix for these. Call the Electrified Garage.

[@tyranelewis7763]

2021 the Model S door handless should be perfected and bug free by all the years in production and as many fails over the years. it has to be the best feature of the Model S. sad to see the signature feature of the Model S body design is still having issues. I love this door handle feature even better then the other manufactures. Please Tesla lets get all bugs of this feature rid of.

[@treads2595]

Dave, you said it yourself. This is your third Tesla model S with a door problem. That sounds like a sign to me that maybe you need to consider purchasing something else. I still don’t know why you got rid of the Ionic 5 (although your wife having the Genesis GV60 would’ve meant having two versions of the same car). Don’t you have a Lucid air on order? Maybe those door handles will work without a problem.

[@leonardhawkins9665]

I agree with you

[@DiasSaid99]

Although it’s a stupid and annoying issue I don’t think it’s so bad that he should go buy another vehicle. The Lucid air is gonna be an amazing vehicle but it’s likely to run into similar issue as a new car manufacturer.

[@adamlee5504]

Couldnt you have rolled down the window in the app. 😅 apologies if that was already mentioned.

[@johnturner7322]

Yes Tesla Quality!!!! They have had that issues for far too long. It should have been corrected by now.

[@gregorysims3697]

My Model 3 had a driver window that had to be repaired five times, and my Model Y had the power steering totally die. Frustrating, but I still love my Tesla. While you are waiting for repair, you might check your Tesla app on your phone and see if you car has the "pop open" door feature they added to the 3 and Y. It is intended for frozen door handles, but it might also work for you while you wait for repairs. Good luck.

[@davidck1]

yesterday a lady plugged in at supercharger and her Model X closed itself and locked itself with her phone key and purse inside. I had to drive the lady home to get her other key and her other car a BMW to come pick up the Tesla

[@ojobee]

Next time... let them use your phone. 1. Call customer support and they will remotely open it for her. 2. Allow them to log into the tesla app on your phone and unlock. You can delete and reinstall the app. Same here and I allowed them log into tesla app on my phone to unlock. Thanks for being a good Samaritan though. The world needs good people like you.

[@din0gear309]

Good info. Definitely keep this in mind if I come across this situation. 😁

[@sahasramananandan3722]

I did the same thing at a supercharger before, got locked out with my phone inside. Thankfully one of the other people charging let me log into my tesla account on their phone to unlock my vehicle.

[@selbyjohnson5986]

I didn’t realize it would lock your phone key inside

[@davidck1]

@@ojobee it was her husbands car and she didnt know the password... She was a bmw driver.

[@robert5008]

That sucks Dave I feel for you. I picked up my Model 3 from Tesla in September and sometimes the car doesn't open when I have my phone with me. I have to use my aftermarket ring to tap on the piller to get the door open. Then the car recognizes my phone once I sit in the car. Frustrating after spending 50k plus.

[@noway6238]

sounds like a phone problem? try unpairing the phone and deleting it from the Tesla. reboot both devices and update softwares if you need to then repair them together.

[@Geckogold]

Man, glad my Model Y's never had any issues with the door handle. They did a fairly good job simplifying this after the Model S having numerous problems with the handles.

[@libertykrueger1433]

No need for acrobatics from the back seat. Just sit in the front passenger seat and reach across to pop the driver door. Also check the Tesla app to see if you can pop the driver door from your phone. Seems like they just added a remote door popping button that you could use if there’s ice and snow and the door handle gets frozen shut.

[@TheAdventureAuto]

It's too bad they didn't just use the 3/Y style handles. Those are great and don't have any issues.

[@bilboriches7216]

Yeah, but Y and 3 handles look and feel cheap.

[@pstoneking3418]

Rather expensive car to have door handle problems.

[@sdhute]

Looks like you have the dukes of hazard upgrade with that handle issue.

[@gentleEvening]

I own a plaid, and i replaced the plaid doorhandles with model 3 like handles. It looks just like oem, and i put LED around the handles aswell. I also put a switch under the door handles if you want the handles to auto present or not also. Let me know if you want to test it out on your car aswell.

[@InternetDude]

Liar

[@kkrunk07]

I have a 14 model S, same issue on my passenger front door... and although an update came out yesterday, my problem arrived at the same time. I cannon open the door from the outside and Tesla is charging me $315 to repair it... Not fair!! There is obviously an issue if you sent out an update to specifically address door handles , then charging your customers for the repairs when your updates cant correct the issue

[@Jeddin]

New shortcut in the tesla app meant for frozen door handles. It will open the door for you. Not present the handles. It will open the door

[@outofspecdave1554]

Are you saying that feature exists? Or should exist?

[@Jeddin]

@@outofspecdave1554 it does exist. It was added in one of the recent updates in the past month. You can find it in the list of shortcuts. Long press one of your current shortcuts which are usually “ climate charging open trunk”. It will bring up a list to customize controls one of the options is “unlatch door”. You can use it from that screen or add it to your pinned shortcuts

[@tivertontonto]

It does exist, works great.

[@TheCorteseFamily]

@@outofspecdave1554 the feature was added to the Tesla app within the past month. It can only be accessed by editing your pinned shortcut icons, not within any of the regular app menus. You would think it would be under the Control menu as well. Just long press one of your 4 pinned shortcut icons and you’ll see one called Unlatch Door

[@dennissteul5445]

You are right. That sucks. So much for the third time's a charm!

[@egidiomeola]

Unfortunate model s has always had the problem of those door handles they should make it like the model x

[@TheRealMerchyBautista]

Wow is it really that noisy when the door handles pop out? Strange that the handle malfunctioned on you but glad you weren't fully locked out!

[@InternetDude]

Yes the door handles are that noisy normally. I had two different Model S from ‘15 to ‘21 but they are gone due to poor quality.

[@27shivs]

have a 22 lr s and got a similar problem my driver side door handle gets stuck out and doesn’t like to close until i hit it, and my passenger side door handle has just completely died and now has to be open from the inside! I just got the car in july so yes i agree tesla has a big problem with these door handles

[@vhol93]

How about using the app? The button to open the door or open the window?

[@mr2dsp]

My 2021 plaid rigth rear door handle had issue like that they replace it

[@georgepelton5645]

Symptoms look like broken micro switch on the driver’s handle. After three generations of improving QRD for the Model S handles, I thought Tesla had solved these issues. It is disappointing to see the new 2021+ refresh still has quality issues. I had a 2015 Model S and drove it for 50,000 miles, it fortunately had zero problems with its door handles.

[@jokmi123]

I can confirm Model S 2023+ has it no better. Failed on my car after about 300 km. I must say, not overly impressed. I'd take Model 3 door handles any day.

[@jokmi123]

Finally able to confirm somewhat positively: My problem lasted last winter: after each night in freezing temp (like below -4 Celsius/25F) the driver's door would only open with the emergency latch. Now we had a -12C/10F night, so I left my car outside. In the morning the doors opened without any issues. I'm quite sure what happened 9 months ago: I got it washed; possibly enough water got in. In the summer when going through the car more carefully I noticed some partial holes at the door that are usually for draining excess water; fixed those. Maybe it's overall better now, but not gonna wash the car until Spring 😁

[@tom_hoots]

With absolutely no need to reinvent the wheel, or the door handle, or the whatever.... Just look what Tesla comes up with.

[@williamlabarre4755]

After you press the Unlock, immediately press and hold Unlock and all windows should go down.

[@davidconner9027]

I am definitely going to try that

[@williamgrissom9022]

The electric "presenting" door handles are cool bling, but also another thing to break. Ditto for the air-suspension option, and the gull-wing doors in the Model X. Same for all blingy "luxury sedans". If you want a reliable no-fuss, economical vehicle buy a high-volume base 4 cyl sedan. Manual windows and door locks will last longer than motorized versions, but won't impress passengers.

[@selbyjohnson5986]

That Model S door is just too complicated. I never had a problem with my 3 or Y doors.

[@bajajoepoker]

Did you try entering service mode and calibrating door handles? Let us know. Model S door handles on my Jan 13 model S worked well for 10 years, and then 3 paddle gears failed in 6 months… spoke to the design engineer in ‘12 and he thought they were over the top but was the hill Elon chose to die on even though everyone in Engineering wanted to simplify.

[@KevinKingsmore]

You can pop open driver side door with the phone app btw

[@kurtpenner2362]

The Model S has been on the market for 10 years now. Shouldn't Tesla have figured out how to make a reliable door opener by now? And I know they are not the only maker that makes changes to chase the latest novel tech, but they sure seem to do it often.

[@nicholasyoung2794]

if its under warranty have Tesla take care of it. Otherwise maybe check with Gruber motors or Electrified garage to check all your doors. Maybe time for another road trip.

[@InternetDude]

The car is one year old

[@shahzadiqbal1976]

Thank you for sharing. Did you try to use the Un latch door feature in the tesla app?

[@581rma]

Would be nice if they had an option on the phone to hit the unlock from inside.

[@tivertontonto]

They do.

[@tivertontonto]

On my model Y anyways.

[@zenxyphen4443]

Yes they just added this for the 3/Y should add for S too for this issue alone!

[@selbyjohnson5986]

I guess I don’t have that update yet. I don’t see it in the app.

[@581rma]

Finny I must’ve overlooked the update I just added the Icon ton front of my app now I can easily unlock it

[@jozuafra3700]

Wow simply climb over some how

[@dandaigle4546]

BOY OH BOY this bummed me out cause tesla just burst my bubble

[@Yanquetino]

Definitely sucks, Dave. Gotta be mechanical, not software. Service needs to fix that ASAP. Bet'cha Kathy's GV60 never has a problem with its handles. The Tesla Semi… meh. Freightliner beat 'em to market -though with much less range.

[@Ksvusa]

There's no one you can Talk to at tesla! You can only go online and then get presented with a bill for almost $500. Tesla service is a deal breaker

[@rydahog]

Can you hold door open button on fob and roll all windows down?

[@adamchoi8136]

In the tesla app does the model s have the door open button like the model 3 does? I ended up finding that later in the app by holding the quick buttons and selecting the option.

[@bbwlc]

Tesla vehicle has poor build quality? *SHOCK*

[@shou635]

I’ve had fewer and less severe issues with my Tesla over 6 years and 93k miles than any other vehicle I’ve owned.

[@InternetDude]

Yep I had two Model S over the course of 6 years. Would not recommend Tesla to my enemies after how many poor quality issues I had.

[@sammingslappendel3796]

I think it's just up to you how you use the door handle, because it's not a pure coincidence that every Tesla you've owned has had this problem.

[@InternetDude]

You clearly have not owned a Model S. I had two, they both had door handle issues, it’s extremely common on the S.

[@scottbreseke716]

One of the latest software updates changed some things with door locking. See release notes for 2022.40.1. But maybe Dave's car thinks he looks like a suspicious character. 🙂

[@drhombus242]

Seems really hit or miss if you have door handle issues. My dads has 90k miles and never had a door handle issue. Mine is the same model year and they fail all the time ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@najeff2]

What year is it?

[@drhombus242]

Both are 2016

[@najeff2]

@@drhombus242 I see, thanks! I just got a 2018 model s and I’m nervous 😬

[@drhombus242]

@@najeff2 congrats! Don’t be, I was able to fix them myself for fairly cheap everytime. Just enjoy it

[@macbec3021]

Your video is not a good pub for Tesla😮 How tesla perform againt rust ?

[@darrenorange2982]

You know they have door unlatch in the app now, so you could just use that to open your door while you are waiting to get it fixed.

[@davidconner9027]

Thanks! Just learned that.

[@camaromodschannel]

You couldn't give me a electric car, I know my wife would ever ride in it. To many busting out in flames. Lol I even got a gas golf cart... don't want to pay replacing batteries...

[@slyguyaction]

Just try to stay positive Dave. I'm sure this is a known issue with Tesla, they'll have a fix already and a technician will arrive quickly to give you some good customer service and fix it up. We can hope, right? Keep up the great content man. Thank you!

[@realnicksutton]

How much longer is your warranty?

[@ctk4949]

There's no backup?!?! Made in murica!! lol

[@johhny711]

Butbutbut Tesla are the best cars :)

[@shou635]

Not perfect. No car is. Still would stick with my Tesla even after 6 years and 90k+ miles.

[@johhny711]

@@shou635 Of course you would ,Elon Musk could put Trump back on Twitter after his coup attempt and you would still buy one .

[@Curryolla]

@@johhny711 I'm a liberal and I still want Trump back on Twitter! He does more damage to himself that way!!! And yeah, I support Tesla as a company and their mission, regardless of what Elon does. I used to buy Toyotas for years, but they (as a corporate policy) have been resisting EVs and funding insurrectionist (Domestic Terrorist) senators. Tesla doesn't pay the government. I'll stick to Tesla, thanks!

[@johhny711]

@@Curryolla Toyota doesn't support the Coup attempt Im sure they give money to both the democrats and the Republicans as all corporations do, they support both sides to stay neutral . Musk on the other hand supports the Republicans and called on people to vote republican in the last election and that will lead to the end of democracy -so you keep supporting Musk no matter what he does #cult

[@leonardhawkins9665]

If you don't like the quality of the Tesla maybe you should look at a different car company

[@InternetDude]

He had better cars and then stupidly went back to Tesla 🤷‍♂️

[@trainingtheworld5093]

One word: Divest.

[@ulfw]

Then why you keep buying this crappy quality brand?

[@videopyc]

Dave are you going to complain every time something goes wrong with your Tesla ? All new cars are built like advanced computerized machines with a lot of switches, servomechanisms, wire terminals and computer chips. You cannot expecting that all of those components will always work without glitches, particularly when a batch is poorly made or designed. If you are so unhappy, then trade your Tesla for a car with a good old door key and a mechanical door latch.

[@treads2595]

Are you serious? The guy drops Almost 100k on a car and you think he’s being unreasonable by expecting it to work? This isn’t Tesla’s first time making this car. They haven’t been making cars for five seconds. The model S is at least 12 years old and shouldn’t have door handles that don’t work. It’s amazing how many Tesla cult followers are willing to give them a pass on their shotty build quality just because the car goes super fast. A car is supposed to do more than just go from 0 to 60 in three seconds. You’re actually supposed to be able to get inside and drive it. 🙄

[@shou635]

@@treads2595I’m on my original model s handles after 6 years and 90k+ miles even in winter climates. These issues are not common. Seeing a few KZbin videos does not make it the “norm”.

[@treads2595]

@@shou635 Maybe not this specific problem, but Tesla's having build quality issues is not something that people are making up. Even after all of these years, it's still a problem. And I don't think it's unreasonable for someone to expect quality after dropping that much cash. That goes for any car manufacturer.

[@CheddarKungPao]

@cloutier pierre the point of this channel is for Dave to share his experience. If you aren't interested in that there's plenty of cat videos on youtube.

[@outofspecdave1554]

I have had many Tesla cars including multiple model Y, 3, X and S’s. I have had no issues with the 3, Y and even the X doors before. But with the 3 model S’s I have owned, every single one has had door handle issues. And this latest one has had two issues on two separate doors so far. So while I don’t call out every issue I have with my cars, I am not shy about bringing this particular content onto the channel. I appreciate hearing and respect your perspective that I should be silent here. But I won’t be. Hope you can respect my view as well. Thanks for watching!

[@acptelford1307]

Easy. Don’t buy a tesla

[@marksmith5696]

User error! 3 for 3? Come on bro! You're just being way too hard on the thing. Case in point. I have a new M3LR. So many dont get the m3 door handles. Just press the left side of the handle in and the door pops out on it's own. I see people actually pulling the door open by the handle which will of course break it. Read up on your manual o.o.s. dave!

[@InternetDude]

The 3/Y door handle is an idiotic design.

[@YouStupid69]

this whiner is annoying, you bought used car with 25k, complain door handle switch worn out. Common sense boomer.. just get it replaced it's still under warranty

[@InternetDude]

This is a very common issue with Model S but hey they’ve only been making them for 10 years so what do you expect to make them good over time LOL