4 Reasons Why Tesla door handle Stuck? (Quick Solution)

One of the features that set Tesla apart from other cars is its door handles, which are flush with the car body and extend out when the driver approaches or touches them.

However, these door handles are not without problems, and some Tesla owners have reported issues with them getting stuck or malfunctioning.

In this article, I will explain what causes Tesla door handles to get stuck, how to fix them, and how to prevent them from happening again.

How to fix the Tesla door handles Stuck Problem?

If your Tesla door handle gets stuck or malfunctions, you can try some of the following steps to fix it:

#1. Knock on the Door Handle

To fix this issue, Tesla’s official advice is to give the door handle a firm knock with your hand, as if you were knocking on your neighbor’s door. This should break the ice and allow the handle to pop out.

You can also try changing your car settings to not auto-present the door handles until the weather warms up.

#2. Check your settings

You can adjust how your door handles behave in different situations by going to Controls > Settings > Vehicle > Door Unlock Mode on your touchscreen.

You can choose between All Doors, Driver Door, or Off. You can also turn off the auto-present feature for your door handles by going to Controls > Settings > Vehicle > Auto-Present Handles and toggling it off.

This may help prevent your door handles from getting stuck in cold weather or other conditions.

#3. Use your key fob

You can try using your key fob to unlock your car.

Pressing once on the top button of your key fob will unlock all doors while pressing twice will unlock only the driver’s door.

You can also press and hold the rear trunk button on your key fob for two seconds to open the trunk. If your key fob does not work, make sure that its battery is not low or dead.

#4. Use your app

If you have the Tesla app on your smartphone, you can use it to unlock your car remotely. Open the app and tap on Controls > Unlock on your screen. You can also use the app to open the trunk, trunk, or charge port.

If your app does not work, make sure that your phone has an internet connection and that you are logged in with your Tesla account.

#5. Use an emergency release

If none of the above methods work, you can use an emergency release to open your door from inside or outside. To open your door from inside, pull up on the manual release lever located on the floor next to each seat.

To open your door from the outside, insert a credit card or a similar object under the edge of the handle and pry it open.

You can also use a piece of string or a wire to loop behind the handle and pull it out. However, be careful not to damage your door handle or your car paint when using these methods.

Why Tesla door handle Stuck?

There are several possible reasons why Tesla door handles may get stuck or fail to work properly. Some of the most common ones are:

#1. Faulty Paddle Gear

Tesla door handles use paddle gear to rotate the handle and pull it out of the car body.

This paddle gear is made of plastic and can wear out or crack over time, causing the door handle to get stuck in either position. The paddle gear can also make a grinding noise when it fails.

The solution to this problem is to replace the paddle gear with a new one.

#2. Cold weather

Tesla door handles are sensitive to low temperatures and may freeze shut or become stiff in cold weather.

This can happen when ice or snow accumulates on the door handle or inside the mechanism, preventing it from extending or retracting smoothly.

Tesla recommends using a de-icer spray or a hair dryer to melt the ice and free the door handle.

Alternatively, some owners have suggested giving the door handle a gentle whack with your hand or a soft object to break the ice.

#3. Broken wire

Tesla door handles use a microswitch to detect when the driver touches them and activate the mechanism.

However, this microswitch is connected to a thin wire that can break over time due to the repeated movement of the door handle.

When this happens, the door handle may not extend at all or may extend but not unlock the door. The only way to fix this problem is to replace the microswitch or re-solder the wire.

#4. Software glitch

Sometimes, Tesla door handles may not work properly due to a software glitch that affects the communication between the car and the door handle.

This can cause the door handle to not extend when the driver approaches or touches it, or to not retract when the driver closes the door.

A software glitch can also affect the side mirrors, which are supposed to fold in and out along with the door handles.

To fix this problem, Tesla suggests rebooting the car by holding down both scroll buttons on the steering wheel until the touchscreen goes black.

How to prevent Tesla door handles from getting stuck?

To prevent your Tesla door handles from getting stuck or malfunctioning, you can follow some of the tips below:

#1. Keep your car clean

Make sure that your car is clean and free of dirt, dust, debris, or moisture that may interfere with the door handle mechanism.

You can use a soft cloth or a brush to wipe off any dirt or dust from your door handles regularly. You can also use a compressed air can or a vacuum cleaner to blow out any debris or moisture from inside the door handle cavity.

#2. Keep your car warm

If you live in a cold climate, you can use the pre-conditioning feature on your app or your touchscreen to warm up your car before you drive.

This will help prevent your door handles from freezing shut or becoming stiff. You can also use a car cover or a garage to protect your car from snow or ice accumulation.

#3. Keep your car updated

Make sure that your car software is up to date and that you install any updates that Tesla sends you. This will help fix any bugs or glitches that may affect your door handle functionality.

You can check for updates by going to Controls > Software on your touchscreen. You can also enable Wi-Fi on your car to receive updates faster.

Tips and tricks for using Tesla door handles

Here are some tips and tricks for using Tesla door handles in different situations and scenarios:

Use the double-pull feature

If you want to open your door without closing it completely, you can use the double-pull feature on your door handle. To do this, pull the handle once to open the door slightly, then pull it again to open it fully.

This will prevent the door from locking automatically and allow you to get in and out of your car more easily.

Use the child lock feature

If you have children or pets in your car, you can use the child lock feature to prevent them from opening the rear doors from inside. To do this, go to Controls > Settings > Vehicle > Child Protection Lock on your touchscreen and toggle it on.

This will disable the manual release levers on the rear doors and prevent them from being opened unless you unlock them from outside.

Use the valet mode feature

If you want to limit access to your car when you leave it with a valet or a parking attendant, you can use the valet mode feature on your app or your touchscreen.

To do this, go to Controls > Safety & Security > Valet Mode on your touchscreen and enter a four-digit PIN. This will disable some features of your car, such as opening the trunk, frunk, or glove box, adjusting the settings, or driving faster than 70 mph.

To exit valet mode, enter the same PIN on your touchscreen or tap on Valet Mode > Disable on your app.

Use the walk-away lock feature

If you want to lock your car automatically when you walk away from it, you can use the walk-away lock feature on your app or your touchscreen.

To do this, go to Controls > Settings > Vehicle > Walk-Away Door Lock on your touchscreen and toggle it on. This will lock all doors and retract all door handles when you leave your car with your key fob or phone in range.

You can also enable an audible confirmation sound by toggling on Lock Confirmation Sound under the same menu.

Conclusion

Tesla door handles are one of the unique features of Tesla cars that make them stand out from other vehicles. However, they are also prone to some issues that may cause them to get stuck or malfunction.

In this article, I have explained what causes these issues, how to fix them, and how to prevent them from happening again.

I have also provided some tips and tricks for using Tesla door handles in different situations and scenarios.

I hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for reading!