No one ever wants to be in an accident. But in the moment a collision happens—and the chaos that follows—being prepared is critical for your safety and your passengers’.
Your Tesla is equipped with unique safety systems and specific emergency procedures you need to understand. This guide is your calm, step-by-step checklist.
Read it now, share it with your family, and make sure everyone is familiar with these procedures. Knowing what to do in the worst situation is one of the most important responsibilities of any owner.
The “Golden 60 Seconds”: What To Do First
Right after a crash, instinct kicks in. That’s why knowing the correct steps beforehand is essential.
First, take a breath and stay calm. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If possible, shift the car into Park. In most cases, airbags will already have deployed, and the vehicle will automatically shift into Park, turn on the hazard lights, and unlock the doors.
Many people worry about the high-voltage battery under the floor. It’s true the pack contains a large amount of energy—but Tesla has built multiple safety layers.
If the car detects a severe impact or if airbags deploy, a pyrofuse instantly disconnects the high-voltage battery from the rest of the vehicle, protecting you and reducing electrical risk inside the cabin.
Today, emergency responders around the world are trained to safely handle electric vehicles. Tesla also provides detailed rescue manuals for all models, showing safe approach points and how to disable high-voltage cables when necessary.
The Next 60 Seconds: Safely Exiting the Vehicle
Even though the high-voltage system is disconnected, fire risk still exists. If the battery is damaged, evacuate the vehicle as quickly and safely as possible. EVs catch fire far less often than gas cars, but when they do, extinguishing them can be more difficult.
Most of the time, the electronic door buttons will still work because they rely on the low-voltage battery, which usually remains powered after a crash.
But if the low-voltage system is also down, you’ll need to use the mechanical door release inside the car.
Important: When the car is fully powered down, external door handles will not work. Rescuers cannot open the doors from the outside; they may need to break a window.
Tesla’s mechanical door releases vary by model and year. Rear doors often don’t have an easy-access mechanical release (on older models) or may be hidden. This makes it essential to learn your car’s mechanism ahead of time—and make sure your family knows it too.
Tesla is redesigning door handles to improve this issue, but for now:
If the electronic buttons fail, passengers should exit through the front doors whenever possible.
Below are general guidelines for newer models. We strongly recommend checking your Owner’s Manual for model-specific rear-door details.
How to Open Doors Without Power (Newer Tesla Models, Except Model X)
Front Doors:
A manual lever is located on the door panel next to the window switch area. Pull the lever upward to mechanically release the door.
Rear Doors:
Rear doors usually do not have an obvious mechanical release.
Many (but not all) newer models include a pull-cable hidden in the door pocket:
- Look for a small cover inside the door storage compartment.
- Lift the cover to reveal the mechanical release cable.
- Pull the cable firmly to unlock the door.
Older Model 3/Y vehicles may not have this feature.
Some German-built models require lifting a pre-cut section of floor carpet first.
Key point:
Find your car’s rear mechanical release now, before you ever need it.
Important: After exiting the vehicle, do not close the doors unless absolutely necessary.
Once the car is fully powered down, a closed door cannot be reopened from outside.
Special Instructions for Model X
Front Doors:
Same idea as other models. A black mechanical release lever is located under the interior door handle. Lift it to open the door manually.
Falcon Wing Doors:
These are much more complex to open without power:
- Remove the speaker grille at the bottom of the door.
- Pull the manual release cable inside toward the front of the vehicle.
- The door will unlatch, but you still must lift it manually.
Because this is difficult, rear passengers should exit through the front doors whenever possible.
As with other models: once outside, avoid closing the Falcon Wing doors when the car has no power.
Opening Doors From Outside
All exterior Tesla door handles require electrical power.
If the low-voltage battery is dead:
- The door handles will not actuate.
- Rescuers cannot open the doors normally.
- They may need to break a window.
Upcoming regulations in China may require Tesla to change this design, but for now, it’s essential to understand this limitation.
Special Situation: Vehicle Submerged in Water
Although extremely rare, a vehicle submerged in water is extremely dangerous. The response is different from other emergencies, and every second counts.
- Do not wait — the moment the car hits the water, unbuckle your seatbelt immediately. The vehicle will start sinking quickly.
- Lower the windows while the water hasn’t reached them yet. At this point, the low-voltage system usually still works.
- If the windows won’t roll down, try using the mechanical door release described earlier. Water pressure can make doors extremely difficult to open.
- Last resort: break a window. Use a rescue tool or other pointed object to strike the corner of a side window. Be aware: newer models have laminated glass, which is very strong and difficult to break.
- Escape immediately, and assist passengers in evacuating.
- Move to a safe location and do not re-enter the vehicle for personal belongings.
After an Accident: Handling the Scene
Once everyone is safe, take the following steps. Tesla’s technology can provide valuable support.
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Call emergency services immediately.
Inform dispatch that an accident has occurred and provide details on any injuries. Be sure to mention that you are driving an electric vehicle so responders can prepare the appropriate firefighting equipment. - Accident data is automatically saved by Tesla’s dashcam system. You can also manually save the last 10 minutes of footage by tapping the dashcam icon on the screen or honking the horn. While the vehicle has power, it continuously records and loops the footage (typically keeping the last 60 minutes). Only manually saved clips will be preserved permanently.
- Vehicle data is uploaded to Tesla servers. You can request a Vehicle Data Report (VDR). Depending on connectivity and battery status at the time, the report may or may not include video.
Preparing for Vehicle Repairs
After ensuring personal safety, consider the car and belongings.
- If the vehicle can still move safely, enable Towing Mode.
- If the vehicle needs repairs, always use a Tesla-approved Collision Center. Insurance-recommended shops may lack the tools and training required for proper EV repair, which could compromise structural integrity or the functionality of safety systems.
Mastering these procedures gives you confidence. Familiarity with your Tesla’s unique safety features will allow you to remain calm, act decisively, and achieve the best possible outcome in an emergency.
