NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Tesla Model 3 Safety Ratings
The 2021 Tesla Model 3 scores 75 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 22 recalls, and 645 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Tesla Model 3 demonstrates a split safety profile, with perfect NHTSA crash-test scores underpinning its structural integrity, yet its overall NHTSA Safety Index of 76/100 places it in the Average band. This rating represents a decline from the prior year, primarily influenced by a significant 21 recall campaigns and a notably weaker sub-score for its avoidance technology.
The 2021 Tesla Model 3 holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 76 out of 100 and a perfect 5-star overall NHTSA crash-test rating, according to NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 94 Sedans from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Tesla Model 3 ranks 83 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- families prioritizing rollover safety
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 75 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 6.6% |
| Recalls on file | 22 |
| Owner complaints | 645 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 83 of 94 Sedans tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Tesla Model 3?
The 2021 Tesla Model 3 represents a notable step back from the 2020 model's 81/100 Strong-band Index, landing at 76/100 in the Average band. That five-point drop is driven almost entirely by the defect record sub-score, which contributes only 0.5 out of a possible 20 points, reflecting the weight of 21 recall campaigns accumulated against this model year. Crash protection remains a genuine high point: the vehicle earned the full 70 out of 70 points available in that sub-category, backed by a clean sweep of 5-star NHTSA ratings including a 7-percent rollover risk and a No Tip dynamic result. The avoidance-tech sub-score of 5 out of 10 reflects a mixed equipment picture: lane departure warning and electronic stability control are standard, but forward collision warning is listed as not present. The recall landscape for this specific year spans hardware concerns such as the hood latch assembly and tire pressure monitoring, alongside multiple software-related campaigns covering pedestrian alerts, seat-belt warnings, and back-over prevention. Several of those campaigns were resolved via over-the-air updates, which is a structural characteristic of this model year worth understanding before purchase.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Tesla Model 3 perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Tesla Model 3 achieved a full 5 out of 5 stars in every crash-test category assessed by NHTSA: overall, frontal impact, side impact, and rollover. This includes a 7 percent rollover risk, with the dynamic test yielding a "No Tip" outcome. No ratings fell below this maximum threshold, nor were any categories left unrated.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 16052
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Tesla Model 3 have any recalls?
Yes, 21 recall campaigns cover the 2021 Model 3. Named component areas include back-over prevention software, tire pressure monitoring systems, hood latch assemblies, front seat-belt warning devices, and forward-collision-avoidance pedestrian alert software. Several campaigns were addressed via over-the-air software fixes. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the data provided.
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
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE26V283000
Risk: A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-001.
Reported 2026-05-05
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
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH24V554000
Risk: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
Reported 2024-07-24
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
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING22V317000
Risk: Swapped camera views can prevent the vehicle's cameras from detecting crossing objects and high-curvature lane lines, impairing the Autosteer and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) performance, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will correct the swapped terminals and recalibrate the cameras, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-17-007.
Reported 2022-05-09
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Tesla Model 3?
NHTSA has logged 645 unverified owner complaints for the 2021 Model 3. The most-alleged component is Forward Collision Avoidance with 403 reported issues, followed by Service Brakes at 125 and Vehicle Speed Control at 123. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established defects.
645 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Tesla Model 3?
With 21 recall campaigns on record, shoppers considering this 5-year-old vehicle should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool before purchase. Confirming which remedies have been completed and which remain open is the single most important safety step for this specific model year.
- The 2021 Model 3's Safety Index dropped five points to 76/100 Average from the 2020 model's 81/100 Strong rating, with the defect record sub-score of 0.5 out of 20 being the primary driver of that decline.
- All four NHTSA crash-test categories, overall, frontal, side, and rollover, returned 5 out of 5 stars for this model year, with a rollover risk of 7 percent and a No Tip dynamic result.
- Forward collision warning is listed as not present for this model year, contributing to an avoidance-tech sub-score of only 5 out of 10, even though lane departure warning and electronic stability control are standard.
- Of the 645 unverified NHTSA complaints on record, 403 are alleged to involve Forward Collision Avoidance, making it by far the most-reported component area for this specific model year.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Tesla Model 3 places
The 2021 Tesla Model 3 qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Tesla Model 3 safety questions
Was the 2021 Tesla Model 3 crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Tesla Model 3, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 75 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Tesla Model 3 crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 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 2021 Tesla Model 3 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 22 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Tesla Model 3. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Tesla Model 3?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 645 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 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 (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi RS 5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Audi S5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Maxima | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi A4 Allroad | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
| 2021 Cadillac CT5-V | 97/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Infiniti Q50 | 97/100 | not rated | 3 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 16052), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Tesla Model 3 2021.
- 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 83 of 94 in the Sedan class for 2021.
- 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.