NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Tesla Model X Safety Ratings
The 2020 Tesla Model X scores 89 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 10 recalls, and 123 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2020 Tesla Model X earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 89/100, placing it in the Strong band. Perfect crash-test scores across every NHTSA category anchor that rating, though 10 recall campaigns and a defect record subscore of 9/20 keep it from reaching the top tier.
The 2020 Tesla Model X holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 89/100 and a 5-star overall crash rating from NHTSA.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 107 SUVs from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 Tesla Model X ranks 21 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 | 89 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 9.3% |
| Recalls on file | 10 |
| Owner complaints | 123 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 21 of 107 SUVs tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Tesla Model X?
The 2020 Tesla Model X achieves a 5-star rating from NHTSA in every crash-test dimension, reflecting a top-tier performance in crash protection, earning a full 70 of 70 available points in that subscore. This robust passive safety contributes to an overall Safety Index of 89/100, placing it in the Strong band. Its avoidance technology subscore also reached its maximum of 10 of 10, supported by standard forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control. However, the vehicle's defect record subscore significantly impacted its overall safety profile, landing at 9 out of a possible 20 points. This lower score is a direct result of the 10 recall campaigns issued for the 2020 Model X. Several of these recalls pertained to critical safety systems, including forward collision avoidance, automated steering, and full self-driving software. While all five detailed campaigns were addressed via over-the-air updates, the volume of safety actions linked to software systems is a defining characteristic of this model year's record. No prior-year Safety Index is available for comparison. The 2020 Model X demonstrates exceptional passive crash performance by NHTSA metrics, but its active and software systems generated a meaningful recall footprint.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 Tesla Model X perform in crash tests?
The 2020 Tesla Model X achieved a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in every crash-test category assessed by NHTSA. This includes frontal crash, side crash, and rollover evaluations. The vehicle's rollover risk stands at a notably low 9 percent, further bolstered by a "No Tip" result in the dynamic tip test. No rated category indicates a weakness or received less than the highest possible score.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15103
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Tesla Model X have any recalls?
Yes, the 2020 Tesla Model X carries 10 recall campaigns. Named components include seat belt warning devices, forward collision avoidance and pedestrian alert systems, the electrical instrument cluster, ADAS autonomous driving software, and automated adaptive steering. All five listed campaigns were resolved through over-the-air software fixes. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the data provided.
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
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT24V153000
Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.
Reported 2024-02-27
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
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
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM22V818000
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 to recalibrate the EPAS system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 31, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-014.
Reported 2022-11-01
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE22V235000
Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall supersedes
Reported 2022-04-12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE22V063000
Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall has been superseded by Recall 2
Reported 2022-02-04
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE22V037000
Risk: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.
Reported 2022-01-27
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA21V846000
Risk: Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.
Reported 2021-10-29
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Tesla Model X?
Owners have filed 123 unverified complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported components are Suspension with 37 alleged incidents, Electrical System with 28, and Forward Collision Avoidance with 23. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established findings, and include 17 reported crashes and 6 reported injuries.
123 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Tesla Model X?
Prospective owners of a 2020 Tesla Model X should verify the status of all 10 federal safety recalls before purchase. This includes ensuring all software-based remedies have been applied. Given that over-the-air updates require vehicle connectivity, direct confirmation with a Tesla service center is advisable to confirm completion for every recall associated with the specific VIN.
- The 2020 Tesla Model X achieved a perfect 5-star NHTSA rating in every tested category, including frontal, side, and rollover, with a rollover risk of just 9 percent and a No Tip dynamic result.
- Ten recall campaigns are attached to this specific model year, with named actions covering forward collision avoidance, automated steering, ADAS self-driving software, the instrument cluster, and seat belt warning devices.
- All five detailed recall campaigns were resolved via over-the-air software updates, meaning remedy completion depends on whether the vehicle was connected and the update accepted, something a VIN check alone may not confirm.
- NHTSA has received 123 unverified owner complaints for this model year, with Suspension (37 alleged reports) and Forward Collision Avoidance (23 alleged reports) ranking among the most frequently cited components.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Tesla Model X places
The 2020 Tesla Model X qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Tesla Model X safety questions
Was the 2020 Tesla Model X crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 Tesla Model X, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 89 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 2020 Tesla Model X crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 Tesla Model X 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 9.3%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2020 Tesla Model X have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 10 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Tesla Model X. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Tesla Model X?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 123 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Tesla Model X. 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 X years
Rivals in SUV (2020)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Infiniti Qx50 | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 2 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-3 | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-30 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 3 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T5 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T6 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2020 Volvo Xc90 T8 | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15103), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Tesla Model X 2020.
- 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 21 of 107 in the SUV class for 2020.
- 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.