NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2022 Tesla Model 3 Safety Ratings
The 2022 Tesla Model 3 scores 84 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 18 recalls, and 746 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2022 Tesla Model 3 earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 85/100, placing it in the Strong band. It swept NHTSA crash testing with perfect five-star scores across every category. The primary safety concern for this year is a defect record score of only 4.5 out of 20, driven by 17 recall campaigns.
The 2022 Tesla Model 3 holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 85/100 and a five-star NHTSA overall crash-test rating, based entirely on NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 90 Sedans from 2022 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2022 Tesla Model 3 ranks 67 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 | 84 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 6.6% |
| Recalls on file | 18 |
| Owner complaints | 746 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 67 of 90 Sedans tested for 2022 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2022 Tesla Model 3?
The 2022 model year marks a meaningful upward shift for the Model 3 in MotorCaliber's safety measurement. The Safety Index climbed nine points to 85/100 from the 2021 model year's 76/100, moving the vehicle from the Average band into the Strong band. That gain is anchored by a perfect crash-protection subscore of 70 out of 70 and a full 10 out of 10 for standard crash-avoidance technology, which includes forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control fitted as standard equipment. What tempers the overall index is the defect record subscore of 4.5 out of 20, a direct reflection of the 17 recall campaigns tied to this model year. Those campaigns span hardware concerns such as the hood latch assembly and tire pressure monitoring, as well as software-driven issues in back-over prevention and pedestrian alert systems. The 746 unverified owner complaints, concentrated heavily around Forward Collision Avoidance allegations, reinforce that the active-safety systems generating the strongest index points are also the components drawing the most scrutiny. The 2022 Model 3 is a strong performer in structured crash protection but carries a notably burdened recall and complaint profile for its model year.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2022 Tesla Model 3 perform in crash tests?
The 2022 Tesla Model 3 achieved a perfect score in every crash-test category assessed by NHTSA. This includes overall protection, frontal impact protection, side impact protection, and rollover resistance. The vehicle exhibited a low rollover risk of 7 percent, further underscored by a "No Tip" result in the dynamic tip test. All rated areas within the NCAP program for this Model 3 received the highest possible score.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 16534
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2022 Tesla Model 3 have any recalls?
Yes, 17 recall campaigns cover this model year. Named components 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 resolved via over-the-air software updates. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the data provided, but buyers should verify remedy status by VIN through NHTSA.
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
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION22V296000
Risk: A lagging or restarting CPU may prevent the center screen from displaying the rearview camera image, gear selection, windshield visibility control settings, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will improve CPU temperature management, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-009.
Reported 2022-05-03
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2022 Tesla Model 3?
Owners have filed 746 unverified complaints with NHTSA, including alleged reports of 52 crashes, 43 injuries, and 1 death. The most frequently alleged problem components are Forward Collision Avoidance with 525 reported allegations, Vehicle Speed Control with 168, and Service Brakes with 167. All figures are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
746 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2022 Tesla Model 3?
The Model's 17 recall campaigns include critical issues with the hood latch and back-over prevention software. While some over-the-air software updates may show as closed in the NHTSA database, owners should verify the installed software version reflects the completed remedy. This model did not receive an overall safety rating from NHTSA.
- The Safety Index rose nine points year-over-year, from 76/100 in 2021 to 85/100 in 2022, the single largest driver being a perfect 70/70 crash-protection subscore from NHTSA's five-star sweep across overall, frontal, side, and rollover categories.
- The defect record subscore of 4.5 out of a possible 20 points reflects 17 recall campaigns specific to this model year, covering hardware components such as the hood latch assembly and tire pressure monitoring system alongside multiple software-based safety system recalls.
- Forward Collision Avoidance is the single most-alleged complaint component for this model year, with 525 unverified consumer allegations filed with NHTSA, and a dedicated 2024 recall campaign addressed a fault in the pedestrian alert function of that same system.
- Multiple recalls for this model year were resolved through over-the-air software updates, meaning remedy completion may not involve a physical dealership visit, and used-vehicle buyers should confirm current software status rather than assuming a prior owner completed all remedies.
RANKINGSWhere the 2022 Tesla Model 3 places
The 2022 Tesla Model 3 qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2022 Tesla Model 3 safety questions
Was the 2022 Tesla Model 3 crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2022 Tesla Model 3, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 84 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 2022 Tesla Model 3 crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2022 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 2022 Tesla Model 3 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 18 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2022 Tesla Model 3. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2022 Tesla Model 3?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 746 owner complaints are on file for the 2022 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 (2022)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Audi RS 5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2022 Audi S5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2022 Infiniti Q50 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2022 Polestar 2 | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2022 Audi A4 Allroad | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 16534), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Tesla Model 3 2022.
- 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 67 of 90 in the Sedan class for 2022.
- 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.