NHTSA Complaint #11434777 — 2019 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

I am not aware of an accident involving this defect. I am reporting a safety concern that occurred to me after I bought the car. All door controls(inside and out) are electronic. Doors are electronically opened by pressing a button. In the event of a crash that disables the electric system, occupants would be trapped in a locked car with no way to open the door. For this apparent reason, the driver's side door has a very small mechanical lever low on the driver's side door panel that will open the door in case of electrical failure. However, the lever is NOT conspicuous and many owners may not be aware of it's existence. Moreover, the driver's door is the ONLY door with a backup mechanical lever to open the door. In a crash, it may not be feasible to remove all occupants through the driver's door. In the event of a crash that disables the car's electrical system AND damages the driver's door sufficiently to prevent opening, all occupants would be trapped in the vehicle. If occupants are also exposed to fire or water hazard, it could easily result in a fatality. I believe that NHTSA and Lincoln should consider a recall to install conspicuous mechanical levers in ALL doors, or alternatively, install a redundant battery backup system that would allow doors and window to be opened in the event that the primary electrical system is compromised in a crash. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).