Elon Musk faces Tesla crisis after defect investigation launched with 179,000 cars impacted

It states that Model 3 cars from production year 2022 could result in the mechanical door release being "hidden, unlabeled, and not intuitive to locate during an emergency".

Tesla's vehicles rely on electronic hatches that are operated by buttons, rather than traditional mechanical handles.

The investigation remains open, with the ODI stating that it will evaluate the issue and determine whether to grant or deny the petition.

It is estimated that more than 179,000 models are included in the investigation with the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

One document filed with the NHTSA states that one incident logged with the ODI stemmed from a crash or fire and resulted in someone being injured.

The ODI investigation comes just months after the NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation into almost 175,000 Model Y cars in response to electronic handles becoming inoperative.

Elon Musk has yet to comment on the investigation, but has taken to social media to praise the technology inside Tesla's electric vehicles.

Responding to a comment on X, formerly known as Twitter, he said: "The best real-world AI is Tesla AI. You can sense the sentience."

Tesla has also been dealing with a slump in sales in recent months across the UK and Europe as other brands increase their offering of electric vehicles.

In November, Tesla sold 3,772 electric cars in the UK, worth 2.5 per cent of the total market share, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

This represented a 17 per cent drop compared to the same time last year, when it registered 4,558 new electric cars.

Over the course of the year, the brand has sold 39,227 vehicles, languishing behind newcomers to the market like BYD (43,740) and established marques.

The same can be seen across the continent, where Tesla sold 12,130 new cars last month, compared to 18,430 the previous year. The brand's market share has also shrunk from 2.1 per cent to just 1.4 per cent.

Data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) recorded BYD as selling 42,500 new cars in November.

BYD's strategy of selling both hybrid and electric cars will further boost its offering in the EU, given its decision to water down net zero targets.

The European Commission announced that it would scrap the 2035 deadline to outlaw the sale of new vehicles with internal combustion engines.

It confirmed that it would allow 10 per cent of car sales to have combustion engines after 2035, with a focus on cleaner e-fuels, while still pushing for zero emission vehicles.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "Innovation. Clean mobility. Competitiveness. This year, these were top priorities in our intense dialogues with automotive sector, civil society organisations and stakeholders."