NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Tesla Model 3 Safety Ratings
The 2020 Tesla Model 3 scores 80 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 21 recalls, and 431 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2020 Tesla Model 3 demonstrates a strong safety profile, earning a NHTSA Safety Index of 81/100. This is supported by a perfect five-star overall crash rating from NHTSA, indicating robust occupant protection in impact scenarios. Furthermore, its advanced crash-avoidance systems are standard across all trims, contributing to a comprehensive safety package. However, the vehicle's defect record notably impacts its overall Safety Index, presenting a clear area for improvement.
The 2020 Tesla Model 3 received a five-star overall crash rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 81/100, based on NHTSA crash-test and recall data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 105 Sedans from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 Tesla Model 3 ranks 82 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- families prioritizing rollover safety
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 80 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 6.6% |
| Recalls on file | 21 |
| Owner complaints | 431 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 82 of 105 Sedans tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Tesla Model 3?
The 2020 Tesla Model 3 posts a Safety Index of 81/100, a one-point gain over the 2019 model's 80/100, with both years sitting in the Strong band. That incremental improvement masks a significant internal tension: the crash protection and avoidance tech sub-scores are essentially maxed out at 70/70 and 10/10 respectively, meaning the vehicle's ceiling is held down almost entirely by its defect record, which contributes only 1 out of a possible 20 points. That single point reflects the weight of 20 recall campaigns active against this model year. The recall topics are notably software-heavy, covering Autopilot autonomous driving logic, forward collision avoidance pedestrian alerting, and instrument panel behavior, all resolved through over-the-air updates rather than physical repairs. The complaint volume of 431 unverified allegations is substantial, with Forward Collision Avoidance alone accounting for 154 of them, a concentration that mirrors the recall themes around active safety software. A shopper who sees a perfect five-star NHTSA crash score should weigh it alongside that defect record context: the structural and passive safety story is strong, but the active safety software history is the defining characteristic of this specific model year.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 Tesla Model 3 perform in crash tests?
The 2020 Tesla Model 3 achieved a perfect score in every crash-test category assessed by NHTSA, including overall, frontal impact, side impact, and rollover. Its rollover risk is rated at 7 percent, further supported by a "No Tip" result in the dynamic tip test. This model year presents no unrated or weak performance areas in its NHTSA crash-test profile.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15105
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Tesla Model 3 have any recalls?
The 2020 Tesla Model 3 carries 20 recall campaigns. Documented component areas include tire pressure monitoring systems, front seat belt warning devices, forward collision avoidance pedestrian alerts, the instrument cluster and electrical system, and Autopilot autonomous driving software. All five highlighted campaigns were resolved via over-the-air software fixes. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the provided campaign data.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS26V507000
Risk: Headlight low beams that are too bright can reduce visibility for oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the headlights, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 3, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-17-003.
Reported 2026-08-05
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS24V935000
Risk: Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-018.
Reported 2024-12-17
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES24V376000
Risk: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.
Reported 2024-05-28
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT24V153000
Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.
Reported 2024-02-27
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL24V051000
Risk: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
Reported 2024-01-30
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE23V838000
Risk: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.
Reported 2023-12-12
STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING23V085000
Risk: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.
Reported 2023-02-15
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE22V798000
Risk: An incorrectly reassembled seat belt anchor can impair the performance of the seat belt during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and reassemble the seat belt anchors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-004.
Reported 2022-10-21
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS22V702000
Risk: A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2032. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-013.
Reported 2022-09-19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL22V263000
Risk: The driver may not know how fast the vehicle is traveling without the mph or km/h unit display, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-008.
Reported 2022-04-18
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE22V235000
Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall supersedes
Reported 2022-04-12
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION22V169000
Risk: A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-004.
Reported 2022-03-18
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Tesla Model 3?
NHTSA has logged 431 unverified owner allegations against the 2020 Model 3. The most frequently reported component is Forward Collision Avoidance with 154 alleged incidents, followed by Unknown or Other at 80, Vehicle Speed Control at 67, Service Brakes at 46, Steering at 43, and Electrical System at 40. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
431 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Tesla Model 3?
With 20 recall campaigns issued for the 2020 Model 3, any prospective buyer should use NHTSA's VIN lookup tool to verify the status of these open campaigns. Over-the-air updates should not be presumed complete; direct confirmation of all recall remedies is advised.
- The 2020 Model 3's defect record sub-score of 1/20 is the sole reason its Safety Index sits at 81 rather than near the top of the scale, making the 20 recall campaigns the most consequential safety data point for this specific year.
- All five of the highlighted 2020 Model 3 recall campaigns were addressed through over-the-air software updates, a remediation method that requires the vehicle to have successfully received and applied each update, something a used-car buyer cannot assume without verification.
- Unverified owner allegations show Forward Collision Avoidance as the single most-reported component with 154 alleged incidents, a concentration that directly parallels the recall campaigns targeting Autopilot software and pedestrian alert logic in this model year.
- The 2020 Model 3 improved one point over the 2019 model's Safety Index of 80/100, but both years share the Strong band, meaning the year-over-year gain is marginal and the overall safety profile is broadly consistent between the two model years.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Tesla Model 3 places
The 2020 Tesla Model 3 qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Tesla Model 3 safety questions
Was the 2020 Tesla Model 3 crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 Tesla Model 3, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 80 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2020 Tesla Model 3 crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 Tesla Model 3 earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 5 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 6.6%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2020 Tesla Model 3 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 21 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Tesla Model 3. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Tesla Model 3?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 431 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Tesla Model 3. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Model 3 years
Rivals in Sedan (2020)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Acura RLX | 99/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2020 Acura RLX Sport | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
| 2020 Audi S5 Sportback | 99/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Infiniti Q50 | 99/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Mazda Mazda3 | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 2 |
| 2020 Nissan Maxima | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15105), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Tesla Model 3 2020.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 82 of 105 in the Sedan class for 2020.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.