MODEL
Tesla Model Y 5-Seat
NHTSA safety across every Tesla Model Y 5-Seat model year we cover.
Across the 2 model years of the Tesla Model Y 5-Seat we cover (2021 to 2022), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2022 at 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2021 at 89. No recalls are on record across those years.
The Tesla Model Y is a compact electric SUV that has quickly become one of the best-selling vehicles in America, targeting tech-forward families and commuters who want practicality without sacrificing performance. The five-seat configuration keeps the cabin focused and accessible, positioning the Model Y squarely against mainstream crossover rivals while carrying Tesla's signature software-driven approach to the segment.
At MotorCaliber, we focus on one thing: safety. And on that front, the Tesla Model Y five-seat delivers a genuinely impressive record across the 2021 to 2022 model years we cover. The 2022 model earns a perfect NHTSA Safety Index of 100 out of 100, rated Exceptional, and the 2022 version backs that up with five stars across every tested category: frontal, side, and rollover. That is a clean sweep, and it is not common. Perhaps most striking is the recall count across both covered model years: zero. In an era when even well-regarded vehicles routinely accumulate recall notices, a clean sheet stands out and deserves acknowledgment. The complaint picture deserves honest context, however. Across 2021 and 2022, owners filed 1,031 complaints with NHTSA, including 85 crash allegations, 6 fire allegations, 25 injury allegations, and 4 death allegations. These are unverified allegations, not confirmed incidents, but the volume is notable for a two-year window and warrants attention from any prospective buyer. Shoppers should read those complaints carefully before purchasing. The bottom line: the Model Y earns its Exceptional safety rating on crash-test merit, and the zero-recall record is a real achievement. The complaint volume, while unverified, is a thread worth pulling before you sign.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Model Y as one of the most capable and well-rounded compact electric SUVs available, praising its acceleration, interior technology, and practicality. Most critics note that the software-centric experience sets it apart from conventional crossover competitors, though some reviewers flag inconsistent build quality and a polarizing minimalist interior as points worth considering.
- The 2022 Tesla Model Y five-seat earns a perfect NHTSA Safety Index of 100 out of 100 with five stars in every crash-test category, placing it among the safest vehicles in its class by federal testing standards.
- Neither the 2021 nor the 2022 model year carries any NHTSA recalls, which is an unusually clean record for a high-volume vehicle and reflects well on the manufacturing and safety-monitoring process during this period.
- Owner complaints filed with NHTSA total 1,031 across the two covered model years, including allegations of crashes, fires, injuries, and deaths. These are unverified allegations and have not been confirmed as defect-related, but the volume is significant and shoppers should review the complaint database directly before buying.
- The five-seat body configuration affects the vehicle's weight distribution and structural layout compared to the optional seven-seat version, so buyers cross-shopping between configurations should note that crash-test results apply specifically to the five-seat variant covered here.