If you’ve ever been in a car that started smoking, it’s unsettling, to say the least, and can be downright terrifying. Now imagine you go to open the door to get out, and it won’t open. That’s what the owner of a Rivian R1S said happened to her.
Jen Pereira of Florida told WFTV9 that her vehicle suddenly started braking, and the screen started flashing. After coming to a stop, Pereira saw smoke inside the cabin, but she couldn’t get out, saying she was locked in the vehicle. After the car’s SOS button failed to work, she called 911.
A Manual Release Saved The Day
There was no more smoke by the time fire crews arrived, but Pereira was still stuck in the vehicle. Eventually, they figured out that there was a manual release handle available, hidden behind the door panel, in case the door button doesn’t work. Pereira says she was inside the vehicle for about 45 minutes.
“It was just really scary, because you know, I don’t feel safe being in that car,” Pereira told WFTV9. “I don’t feel like it will be a safe automobile to have in my garage with my family.” Rivian says the smoke was caused by a short in an electrical system, and that the manual release was working properly. Still, Rivian told the station it offered Pereira a full refund for her vehicle.
It’s Not Just EVs
Having an electronic door release fail is not singular to Rivian, or to EVs. Many cars have electronic door locks that can fail if the car loses electrical power, and it can lead to problems if owners aren’t aware of the manual release. Take, for instance, the car thief who was caught because he believed he was trapped in the Chevy Corvette he was attempting to steal. While that’s humorous, situations like that can turn quite scary, or tragic, if there’s an emergency.
Check Your Owner’s Manual
Any time you get in a vehicle, it’s a good idea to make sure you know how to get out of it. With more cars forgoing traditional door handles in favor of the sleeker design of electronic door releases, there are more opportunities to become “trapped” in your car in the event of a power loss. Check the car’s owner’s manual to find its manual door release, and practice using it. You never know when you’ll need it in an emergency.
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