MODEL
Tesla Model S
NHTSA safety across every Tesla Model S model year we cover.
Across the 6 model years of the Tesla Model S we cover (2020 to 2025), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2025 at 98 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2021 at 80. 75 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Tesla Model S is a full-size electric luxury sedan that has anchored Tesla's lineup since its debut. Positioned against established German flagships, it targets tech-forward buyers who want serious performance alongside premium refinement. The 2020-through-2025 generation carries over the swooping fastback silhouette and a cabin built around massive touchscreen controls, making it one of the most distinctive offerings in the luxury segment.
The Tesla Model S earns a perfect MotorCaliber Safety Index of 100 out of 100 for the 2025 model year, placing it in our Exceptional band - the strongest result we track across covered years. Rollover resistance is rated a full 5 out of 5 stars by NHTSA, a meaningful figure for a low-slung sedan with a floor-mounted battery pack that keeps the center of gravity very low. Frontal and side crash-test ratings are listed as not rated for the years we cover, which means shoppers cannot lean on those specific star scores when comparing the Model S head-to-head with rivals that have completed the full NHTSA frontal and side protocols. The recall picture demands attention. Across 2020 to 2025, the Model S has accumulated 43 recalls - a notably high count for a six-year span, even accounting for Tesla's well-documented practice of issuing over-the-air software fixes that trigger formal recall filings. Shoppers should verify that all open recalls have been resolved before purchase. Owner complaints total 538 across the covered years, with 41 alleged crashes, 2 alleged fires, 13 alleged injuries, and 1 alleged death filed in that pool. All complaints are unverified allegations, but the volume and the presence of serious categories are worth factoring into any buying decision. The Model S is a genuinely capable machine from a safety-index standpoint, but the recall count keeps it from being a clear-cut recommendation without due diligence.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the Model S for its breathtaking acceleration, long driving range, and a minimalist interior anchored by an expansive touchscreen. Most find the ride quality and handling to be class-competitive. Common criticisms tend to center on the heavy reliance on touchscreen controls for basic functions and the learning curve that comes with Tesla's software-driven ownership experience.
- The 2025 Model S achieves a perfect 100-out-of-100 MotorCaliber Safety Index and earns an Exceptional rating, with a 5-out-of-5 NHTSA rollover score - a strength tied to its low, battery-floor center of gravity.
- Frontal and side crash-test star ratings are listed as not rated by NHTSA for the covered model years, so direct star-for-star comparisons with fully tested rivals are not possible in those categories.
- With 43 recalls filed across 2020 to 2025, the Model S carries one of the higher recall counts in its segment. Many are software-related and resolved via over-the-air updates, but buyers should confirm all open recalls are closed before finalizing a purchase.
- The owner complaint database contains 538 filings for this period, including 41 alleged crashes, 2 alleged fires, 13 alleged injuries, and 1 alleged death. These are unverified allegations, but the presence of serious categories means prospective buyers should review the NHTSA complaints portal as part of their research.
Most-recalled year on record: 2021 Tesla Model S with 23 recalls.