Tesla Ignited the Trend, but This Growing Car Feature is Driving Owners Crazy

Tesla’s door handles have been a source of frustration for many car owners. The design itself is confusing, but there are also malfunctions due to unexpected design flaws, such as failure to work properly in cold weather. However, it is becoming evident that these issues are not exclusive to Tesla or modern door handles. As car design becomes more technologically advanced, new problems are arising.

Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power, explains that the automotive industry is facing a wide range of quality problems, which is unprecedented in the 37-year history of the IQS. While modern vehicles offer new and exciting technology, they may not always meet the satisfaction of their owners due to the complexity and novelty of these features. As these new technologies are integrated into vehicles for the first time, more issues are surfacing, including software bugs.

The latest U.S. Initial Quality Study conducted by J.D. Power reveals that the most significant increase in reported problems is in the features, controls, and displays category, with infotainment systems ranking second. Other issues reported by drivers include audio systems, car horns, and subpar cupholders. Door handles are also a frequent complaint. Interestingly, seven out of the top ten problematic models with this issue are electric vehicles, indicating that it is not solely Tesla’s problem but also affecting other EV manufacturers. While electric motors may be the future of automobiles, many drivers would prefer to stick to traditional door handle designs from the 20th century.