# 2018 TESLA MODEL 3 — STRUCTURE:BODY
> NHTSA complaint `2155097` · 2025-12-07 · Tesla, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** TESLA
- **Model:** MODEL 3
- **Year:** 2018
- **Manufacturer:** Tesla, Inc.
- **Component:** STRUCTURE:BODY
## Narrative
Hello, I have a Tesla model 3 that I bought back in 2018 . On [XXX]  when I sliced my finger while opening the door, because the chrome coating on the door handle started peeling. The cut was very deep ( see attached pictures). I contacted Tesla for resolution and  they said that the car is not under warranty and I have to pay $340 for each handle to replace them. Apparently the peeling chrome happened to many other Tesla 3 owners and the company is aware of it and they told me that it might be caused by the car washing detergent (?!!) I think it was a defective design and the peeling chrome coating is a major health hazard. The child cand slice their fingers and if person has a bleeding issues and cut themselves while on the road it can be bad.   I think it should be treated as a recall for bad design and should be fixed for free. I lost couple of days of work since I work in the Operating room and my finger was severely cut. I will wait for your response, thank you, [XXX]    INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*