MODEL
Tesla Model S 90d
NHTSA safety across every Tesla Model S 90d model year we cover.
Across the 1 model year of the Tesla Model S 90d we cover (2019 to 2019), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2019 at 98 on the NHTSA Safety Index. No recalls are on record across those years.
The 2019 Tesla Model S 90D is a full-size all-electric luxury sedan aimed at tech-forward buyers who want premium performance alongside cutting-edge driver assistance. Competing against established German flagships, the Model S carved out its own category as a high-range EV with a low center of gravity and a distinct safety-first engineering philosophy. It remains one of the most talked-about sedans in the modern era.
From a pure safety-data standpoint, the 2019 Tesla Model S 90D puts up numbers that are genuinely difficult to argue with. MotorCaliber's scoring algorithm awards it a 98 out of 100 Safety Index, placing it firmly in our Exceptional band - the highest tier we assign. That score is anchored by a perfect 5-out-of-5 rollover rating from NHTSA, which reflects the real-world advantage of a floor-mounted battery pack that keeps the center of gravity exceptionally low. Frontal and side star ratings are listed as not rated in our covered data set, so shoppers should be aware those specific NHTSA star scores are not available here to round out the full crash-test picture. What is striking, however, is the recall count across the 2019 model year: zero. That is a clean slate that many competitors in this segment cannot match. On the complaint side, NHTSA has logged 32 owner complaints for the 2019 model year, including 4 alleged crash-related reports and 1 alleged injury. These are unverified allegations, and the overall volume is relatively modest for a vehicle with this level of market visibility. Taken together, the safety profile here is strong. The zero-recall record and the Exceptional Safety Index are the headline findings. Shoppers who prioritize crash safety and regulatory cleanliness will find the 2019 Model S 90D a genuinely compelling choice, though confirming frontal and side crash-test results through NHTSA's own database directly is advisable before purchase.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Model S as a benchmark luxury sedan that blends strong real-world performance with sophisticated technology. Most professional assessments praise its spacious interior, long driving range, and advanced driver assistance features, while noting that the ownership experience is closely tied to Tesla's software ecosystem and service network.
- The 2019 Model S 90D earned a 98 out of 100 MotorCaliber Safety Index, placing it in our Exceptional band - the highest safety tier we assign, driven in large part by a perfect 5-star NHTSA rollover rating.
- NHTSA frontal and side crash-test star ratings are not available in our covered data for this model year, so shoppers should check NHTSA's database directly to get the fullest possible crash-test picture before deciding.
- There are zero recalls on record for the 2019 model year across our covered range - a notably clean regulatory history for any vehicle, let alone one in the competitive full-size luxury sedan segment.
- NHTSA shows 32 owner complaints for this model year, including 4 alleged crash-related reports and 1 alleged injury. These are unverified allegations, but reviewing the complaint narratives on NHTSA's site can give shoppers useful real-world context.