NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2023 Tesla Model 3 Safety Ratings
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 scores 86 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 12 recalls, and 409 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 achieved a NHTSA Safety Index of 87/100, placing it in the Strong band, with an individual defect subscore of 7/20. The vehicle was subject to 11 recall campaigns for the model year.
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 received a NHTSA Safety Index of 87/100 and a 5-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 92 Sedans from 2023 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2023 Tesla Model 3 ranks 60 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 | 86 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 6.6% |
| Recalls on file | 12 |
| Owner complaints | 409 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 60 of 92 Sedans tested for 2023 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2023 Tesla Model 3?
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 posts an 87/100 Safety Index, a 2-point gain over the 2022 model year's 85/100, with both years sitting in the Strong band. The improvement is incremental rather than transformative, and the internal breakdown tells a nuanced story. Crash protection is flawless at 70/70, supported by perfect 5-star NHTSA scores across every test category and a rollover risk of just 7 percent. Avoidance technology also maxes out at 10/10, with forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control all standard. The pressure point is the defect record subscore, which lands at only 7 out of a possible 20 points. That reflects 11 recall campaigns touching a range of systems, from electric power assist steering to hood latch integrity to back-over prevention software. The volume of unverified complaints, 409 in total with Forward Collision Avoidance alone generating 170 reported allegations, adds further texture to that subscore. For a vehicle that otherwise dominates crash testing, the gap between its crash-protection ceiling and its defect-record floor is the defining safety story of this specific model year.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2023 Tesla Model 3 perform in crash tests?
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 achieved a flawless 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. This included 5-star scores across all evaluated categories: frontal impact, side impact, and rollover. The vehicle's rollover risk was assessed at 7 percent, with no dynamic tip recorded during testing. Every crash-protection subscore contributed to a perfect 70 out of 70 points.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 19945
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2023 Tesla Model 3 have any recalls?
Yes, 11 recall campaigns cover this model year. Components include back-over prevention software, electric power assist steering, tire pressure monitoring, hood latch assemblies, and front seat belt warning devices. Several campaigns were resolved via over-the-air software fixes. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the data provided, but buyers should verify remedy completion by VIN at 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
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM25V092000
Risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, 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 March 25, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-004.
Reported 2025-02-14
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
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY23V434000
Risk: A defective battery disconnect may not isolate the vehicle's high voltage battery after a crash or fault detection, increasing the risk of electrical shock and injury.
Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the pyrotechnic battery disconnect, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-16-005.
Reported 2023-06-19
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
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS22V844000
Risk: A taillight that fails to illuminate may reduce the visibility of 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 January 14, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-016.
Reported 2022-11-15
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN21V834000
Risk: A twisted side curtain air bag may improperly deploy, increasing the risk of injury or occupant ejection during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and realign the left and right side curtain air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-006.
Reported 2021-10-25
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2023 Tesla Model 3?
NHTSA has logged 409 unverified owner allegations for this model year. The most frequently reported component is Forward Collision Avoidance with 170 alleged incidents, followed by Steering at 84, Vehicle Speed Control at 66, Service Brakes at 54, and Electrical System at 51. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established defects.
409 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2023 Tesla Model 3?
The 2023 Model 3 carries a substantial recall burden. With 11 campaigns on record, prospective owners must verify that all applicable remedies, including over-the-air software updates, have been performed on any specific vehicle under consideration. This is particularly crucial for campaigns addressing safety-critical systems such as steering or hood latches; these should be resolved before taking delivery.
- The 2023 Model 3 gained 2 Index points over the 2022 model year, moving from 85/100 to 87/100, driven by the same Strong-band crash and avoidance performance but still held back by a defect-record subscore of 7/20.
- Eleven recall campaigns specifically affect this model year, covering electric power assist steering, hood latch assemblies, tire pressure monitoring, back-over prevention software, and front seat belt warning systems.
- Forward Collision Avoidance is the single most-reported complaint component with 170 unverified allegations out of 409 total, a concentration worth noting given that the system is also listed as standard safety equipment.
- Every NHTSA crash-test category, overall, frontal, side, and rollover, returned 5 stars for this model year, and the rollover risk of 7 percent with no dynamic tip recorded represents the strongest possible outcome in that subcategory.
RANKINGSWhere the 2023 Tesla Model 3 places
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2023 Tesla Model 3 safety questions
Was the 2023 Tesla Model 3 crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2023 Tesla Model 3, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 86 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 2023 Tesla Model 3 crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2023 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 2023 Tesla Model 3 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 12 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2023 Tesla Model 3. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Tesla Model 3?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 409 owner complaints are on file for the 2023 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 (2023)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Audi RS 5 Sportback | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Audi S4 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Nissan Maxima | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Polestar 2 | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model S Later Release | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 19945), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Tesla Model 3 2023.
- 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 60 of 92 in the Sedan class for 2023.
- 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.