NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2022 Tesla Model S Safety Ratings
The 2022 Tesla Model S scores 85 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), 20 recalls, and 132 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
For the 2022 model year, the Tesla Model S registered 20 recall campaigns, a notable figure that potential owners should scrutinize. Despite this, the vehicle's underlying safety performance remains robust. Its crash protection and avoidance technology foundation achieved perfect scores in federal assessments. These factors contribute to a NHTSA Safety Index of 85/100, placing the 2022 Model S in our Strong safety band.
The 2022 Tesla Model S holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 85 out of 100 and a 5-out-of-5 NHTSA rollover star rating, sourced from NHTSA crash-test and recall 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 S ranks 66 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- families prioritizing rollover safety
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
| NHTSA Safety Index | 85 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 5.7% |
| Recalls on file | 20 |
| Owner complaints | 132 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 66 of 90 Sedans tested for 2022 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2022 Tesla Model S?
The 2022 Tesla Model S improved its NHTSA Safety Index by 5 points over the 2021 model year, rising from 80 to 85 out of 100, while remaining in the Strong band. That upward movement is meaningful but tells only part of the story. The index breakdown shows a perfect 70 out of 70 for crash protection and a perfect 10 out of 10 for avoidance technology, driven by standard forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control. What holds the score back is the defect record sub-score of just 5 out of 20, a direct consequence of 20 recall campaigns attached to this model year. Among the most safety-critical are two separate air bag recalls: one for an incorrect horn pad and one for a driver-side cushion that could tear during deployment. A hood latch failure recall and a back-over prevention software recall round out the headline concerns. The 132 unverified owner complaints, led by alleged Forward Collision Avoidance issues, add a layer of scrutiny to the very technology that earned the model its perfect avoidance-tech score. The 5-star rollover rating is a genuine strength for this body style, but the volume and nature of the recall activity make remedy verification non-negotiable for any prospective buyer.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2022 Tesla Model S perform in crash tests?
For the 2022 Tesla Model S, the most complete safety data available from NHTSA concerns its rollover performance. The vehicle achieved a superior 5 out of 5 stars in rollover resistance, demonstrating a 6 percent rollover risk and a passing dynamic tip result. Beyond this specific assessment, NHTSA did not conduct a full NCAP evaluation; consequently, overall, frontal, and side crash-test ratings remain unrated for this model year.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 19942
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2022 Tesla Model S have any recalls?
Yes, 20 recall campaigns cover the 2022 Tesla Model S. Named component areas include back-over prevention software, air bags with an incorrect horn pad, driver-side frontal air bag cushions that could tear during deployment, a hood latch assembly that may fail, and a seat-belt warning-light system. Two campaigns list an OTA software fix. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the supplied data, but the air bag tear risk warrants prompt verification.
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
AIR BAGS25V172000
Risk: An inoperative horn may prevent the driver from alerting other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla service will inspect and install an air bag with the correct horn pad as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-20-001.
Reported 2025-03-19
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:CUSHION24V967000
Risk: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-20-001.
Reported 2024-12-24
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
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH23V862000
Risk: An unlocked door may unlatch and open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-009.
Reported 2023-12-19
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: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR23V743000
Risk: An air bag that is not designed to function with the replacement steering yoke or wheel may deploy incorrectly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and replace the driver air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-005.
Reported 2023-11-03
SEAT BELTS:FRONT23V488000
Risk: A detached seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect the front-row seat belts and connect the seat belts to pretensioner anchors, or replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-20-004.
Reported 2023-07-14
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
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
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2022 Tesla Model S?
Owners have filed 132 unverified complaints with NHTSA covering the 2022 Tesla Model S. The most frequently alleged problem areas are Forward Collision Avoidance with 33 reports, followed by Unknown or Other at 32, Steering at 20, Electrical System at 15, Service Brakes at 11, and Vehicle Speed Control at 9. Three alleged crashes are included. All figures are unverified consumer allegations.
132 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2022 Tesla Model S?
The 2022 Tesla Model S has been the subject of 20 recall campaigns, a notable figure that prospective buyers should address. Two of these recalls, in particular, involve critical safety systems: airbags and the hood latch. A non-functional airbag or an unsecured hood presents direct risks in a collision or at speed. It is imperative for any buyer to use the VIN lookup tool on the NHTSA website to verify the status of all 20 recalls, confirming that necessary remedies have been performed.
- The 2022 model year carries 20 NHTSA recall campaigns, including two separate air bag defects: one involving an incorrect horn pad and one involving a driver-side cushion that could tear during deployment.
- The Safety Index rose 5 points year over year from the 2021 Tesla Model S to 85 out of 100, but the defect record sub-score of 5 out of 20 is the single largest drag on an otherwise perfect crash-protection and avoidance-tech foundation.
- NHTSA did not assign overall, frontal, or side crash-test star ratings to the 2022 Tesla Model S; the only available NCAP figure is a 5-out-of-5 rollover resistance rating with a 6 percent rollover risk.
- Forward Collision Avoidance is the top alleged complaint category with 33 unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, making it the component area that draws the most scrutiny despite the system being rated standard equipment in the avoidance-tech scoring.
RANKINGSWhere the 2022 Tesla Model S places
The 2022 Tesla Model S qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2022 Tesla Model S safety questions
Was the 2022 Tesla Model S crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2022 Tesla Model S, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 85 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 S crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2022 Tesla Model S earned 5 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 5.7%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2022 Tesla Model S have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 20 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2022 Tesla Model S. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2022 Tesla Model S?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 132 owner complaints are on file for the 2022 Tesla Model S. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Model S 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 19942), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Tesla Model S 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 66 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.