NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2023 Tesla Model S Safety Ratings
The 2023 Tesla Model S scores 87 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), 13 recalls, and 108 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2023 Tesla Model S achieved a perfect rollover resistance score, a notable factor contributing to its overall NHTSA Safety Index of 87/100. This places the Model S in the "Strong" safety band. The vehicle also earned full marks for both crash protection and its integrated avoidance technology. However, this positive assessment is moderated by a defect record score of 7/20, reflecting a history that includes 13 recalls.
The 2023 Tesla Model S holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 87/100 and a 5/5 NHTSA rollover star rating, based on federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 92 Sedans from 2023 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2023 Tesla Model S ranks 59 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- families prioritizing rollover safety
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
| NHTSA Safety Index | 87 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 5.7% |
| Recalls on file | 13 |
| Owner complaints | 108 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 59 of 92 Sedans tested for 2023 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2023 Tesla Model S?
The 2023 Tesla Model S achieved a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in rollover protection, with a low 6 percent risk of rollover. This notable result stands out, as NHTSA did not publish ratings for other crash-test categories for this model year. The vehicle's overall Safety Index stands at 87 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band, a two-point improvement over the 2022 model's 85 out of 100. Underlying this index score, the Model S earns full marks for crash protection, with 70 out of 70 points, and for avoidance technology, scoring 10 out of 10. These perfect scores reflect standard safety features, including forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control across all variants. However, the defect record component significantly reduces the overall index, scoring only 7 out of 20. This low score directly correlates with 13 recall campaigns issued for the 2023 Model S. These recalls address safety-critical systems, including two distinct air bag concerns, a potential hood latch failure, and a back-over prevention software issue. The number and nature of these recalls indicate a concrete pattern of identified safety issues. While the 2023 model year shows a slight index improvement over its predecessor, its recall count remains a substantial factor in its overall safety assessment.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2023 Tesla Model S perform in crash tests?
The 2023 Tesla Model S achieved a 5 out of 5 star rating for rollover protection, according to NHTSA. This result, indicating a 6 percent rollover risk and a "No Tip" outcome in the dynamic maneuver test, is the only crash-test rating published for the vehicle. NHTSA has not assigned overall, frontal, or side star ratings for the 2023 Model S, leaving performance in these critical areas unassessed.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 19947
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 S have any recalls?
The 2023 Tesla Model S is subject to 13 recall campaigns. Named component areas include back-over prevention software, air bags with an incorrect horn pad, a driver-side frontal air bag cushion that could tear during deployment, a hood latch assembly that may fail, and a front seat belt warning system. Two of those campaigns carry an OTA software fix. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the provided campaign data, but buyers should verify remedy status by VIN at NHTSA.
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
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA24V035000
Risk: A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility and increases 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 22, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-002.
Reported 2024-01-22
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
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA23V489000
Risk: Safety features that are unavailable without any warning to the driver may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and adjust the pitch angle, 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-23-17-006.
Reported 2023-07-14
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
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2023 Tesla Model S?
Owners have filed 108 unverified complaints with NHTSA for the 2023 Tesla Model S. Alleged problem areas include Unknown or Other issues (57 reports), Steering (19), Forward Collision Avoidance (16), Electrical System (8), Vehicle Speed Control (6), and Visibility and Wiper systems (6). Seven alleged crashes are included among those reports. All are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
108 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2023 Tesla Model S?
Any shopper considering a used 2023 Tesla Model S should run the vehicle identification number through NHTSA's recall lookup tool before purchase. With 13 recall campaigns on record, including open air bag and hood latch concerns, confirming which remedies have been completed on a specific unit is a necessary step, not an optional one.
- The 2023 model year carries 13 NHTSA recall campaigns, two points higher in index score than 2022 but weighed down by a defect record subscore of only 7/20, the lowest component in the 87/100 index.
- Two distinct air bag recalls affect this model year: one involving an incorrect horn pad and a separate campaign citing a driver-side frontal air bag cushion that could tear during deployment, both of which are safety-critical concerns requiring verified remedy.
- NHTSA has not issued overall, frontal, or side crash-test star ratings for the 2023 Tesla Model S; the only rated crash dimension is rollover, where it earns a perfect 5/5 with a 6 percent risk figure and a No Tip result.
- Among the 108 unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 16 allege issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance system, a notable concentration given that forward collision warning is listed as a standard safety feature on this model year.
RANKINGSWhere the 2023 Tesla Model S places
The 2023 Tesla Model S qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2023 Tesla Model S safety questions
Was the 2023 Tesla Model S crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2023 Tesla Model S, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 87 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 S crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2023 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 2023 Tesla Model S have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 13 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2023 Tesla Model S. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Tesla Model S?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 108 owner complaints are on file for the 2023 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 (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 19947), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Tesla Model S 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 59 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.