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Lawsuit Says Tesla Design Failures Caused Sudden Acceleration and Deadly Fire in Tacoma

The Dennis family has filed a federal lawsuit alleging design defects in a 2018 Tesla Model 3 caused sudden unintended acceleration on Jan. 7, 2023, leading to a collision with a utility pole and a fatal fire in Tacoma, Washington. The complaint claims the automatic emergency braking did not engage, door-handle systems failed after battery shutdown, and battery design increased post-crash fire risk. Plaintiffs seek punitive and wrongful-death damages and a jury trial in California.

08:20 AM, 11/25/2025Technology
Lawsuit Says Tesla Design Failures Caused Sudden Acceleration and Deadly Fire in Tacoma

A federal lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington alleges that design defects in a 2018 Tesla Model 3 caused the vehicle to suddenly accelerate, collide with a utility pole and ignite, killing the passenger and severely injuring the driver.

The suit identifies the couple as Jeff and Wendy Dennis and says the crash occurred on Jan. 7, 2023, in Tacoma, Washington. According to the complaint, the car accelerated for at least five seconds while the couple were running errands; Jeff Dennis reportedly swerved to avoid other vehicles before the vehicle struck the pole and erupted in flames.

Key Allegations

Sudden unintended acceleration: Plaintiffs allege the vehicle surged forward uncontrollably and that the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system did not activate even though it is designed to apply brakes when a frontal collision is imminent.

Door and entry failures: The complaint contends that the external door-handle releases and other entry mechanisms rely on the vehicle battery for operation. After the crash, the battery reportedly shut down, preventing bystanders from opening the doors from the outside; the suit also claims the manual interior override is difficult to locate and use under emergency conditions.

Post-impact fire risk: Plaintiffs allege defective battery chemistry and pack design increased the likelihood of a catastrophic fire after the crash, intensifying injuries and preventing rescuers from safely approaching the vehicle.

Legal claims and relief sought

The complaint seeks punitive damages in California, asserting the Model 3 was designed and manufactured there and noting Tesla’s headquarters were located in California at the time. Plaintiffs also seek wrongful-death damages on behalf of Wendy Dennis’s estate and damages for Jeff Dennis, and they have requested a jury trial.

The filing references other recent claims and regulatory attention: families of two students who died in a separate Tesla crash have filed suit alleging similar door failures, and federal regulators have opened a probe into driver reports of stuck doors.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys and Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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