NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2020 Tesla Model Y Safety Ratings
The 2020 Tesla Model Y scores 80 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 24 recalls, and 271 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2020 Tesla Model Y achieved a perfect five-star sweep in all NHTSA crash-test categories, a commendable performance. However, this model year accumulated 23 recall campaigns, resulting in a defect record score of 0 out of 20. This recall history significantly impacted the vehicle's overall NHTSA Safety Index, which stands at 80 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band.
The 2020 Tesla Model Y received a five-star overall NHTSA crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 80 out of 100, according to NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 107 SUVs from 2020 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2020 Tesla Model Y ranks 77 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 | 80 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 5 stars |
| Rollover risk | 7.9% |
| Recalls on file | 24 |
| Owner complaints | 271 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 77 of 107 SUVs tested for 2020 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Tesla Model Y?
The 2020 Tesla Model Y presents a split safety picture that is specific to this inaugural production year. On crash protection, it is essentially flawless: NHTSA's five-star sweep across overall, frontal, side, and rollover categories, combined with standard forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control, produced a crash-protection sub-score of 70 out of 70 and an avoidance-tech sub-score of 10 out of 10. Those two pillars alone would support a near-perfect Index. The problem is the defect record sub-score of 0 out of 20, reflecting 23 recall campaigns tied to this model year. That figure is notable for a first-year vehicle and pulls the overall Safety Index to 80 out of 100. Because no prior-year Index is on file, there is no year-over-year movement to report, but the 23-recall count and the concentration of 103 unverified complaints around Forward Collision Avoidance specifically mirror one of those recall campaigns, the pedestrian alert software fix, suggesting a real-world pattern that regulators and the manufacturer both acted on. The Strong band designation is earned by the crash-test performance, but the defect record is the defining safety story of this model year.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2020 Tesla Model Y perform in crash tests?
The 2020 Tesla Model Y achieved a uniform five-star rating across all NHTSA crash-test categories. This included overall, frontal, side, and rollover protection. The dynamic tip test concluded with a "No Tip" result, contributing to an 8 percent rollover risk. The comprehensive five-star evaluation indicates a strong crash-protection profile for this model year.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15145
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 Y have any recalls?
Yes, 23 recall campaigns are on file for the 2020 Tesla Model Y. Named components include back-over prevention software, tire pressure monitoring systems, hood latch assemblies, front seat belt warning devices, and forward collision avoidance pedestrian alert systems. Several campaigns were resolved via over-the-air software fixes. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the data provided, but owners should verify remedy status by VIN through NHTSA.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS26V507000
Risk: Headlight low beams that are too bright can reduce visibility for oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the headlights, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 3, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-17-003.
Reported 2026-08-05
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
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS24V935000
Risk: Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-018.
Reported 2024-12-17
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
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
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS22V844000
Risk: A taillight that fails to illuminate may reduce the visibility of 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 January 14, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-016.
Reported 2022-11-15
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
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
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Tesla Model Y?
NHTSA has logged 271 owner complaints against the 2020 Tesla Model Y, all unverified allegations. The most frequently alleged problem component is Forward Collision Avoidance with 103 reports, followed by Unknown or Other at 52, Vehicle Speed Control at 37, Service Brakes at 35, and both Suspension and Lane Departure tied at 29. Alleged injuries total 25 across 47 reported crash incidents.
271 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Tesla Model Y?
Anyone considering a used 2020 Tesla Model Y should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool before purchase. With 23 recall campaigns on record, some resolved via over-the-air software updates and others requiring physical service, confirming which remedies have been completed on the specific vehicle is the single most important safety step a shopper can take.
- The 2020 Model Y is Tesla's first production year for this model, and its 23 recall campaigns reflect the defect-record pressure typical of an all-new vehicle platform, pulling the defect sub-score to 0 out of 20 despite perfect crash-test results.
- Forward Collision Avoidance is both the top complaint component with 103 unverified allegations and the subject of a specific 2024 recall covering the pedestrian alert software on 2020 to 2022 Model Y vehicles, making it the single most important system to verify by VIN.
- Multiple recall remedies for this model year were delivered as over-the-air software updates, meaning a used example may already have received fixes without a physical dealer visit, but owners should confirm update completion rather than assume it.
- The rollover risk rating of 8 percent and a No Tip dynamic result place this model year among the lower-risk SUVs in NHTSA's rollover category, a data point worth noting given the vehicle's SUV body style and all-wheel-drive configuration.
RANKINGSWhere the 2020 Tesla Model Y places
The 2020 Tesla Model Y qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2020 Tesla Model Y safety questions
Was the 2020 Tesla Model Y crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2020 Tesla Model Y, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 80 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 Y crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2020 Tesla Model Y 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 7.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2020 Tesla Model Y have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 24 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 Tesla Model Y. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Tesla Model Y?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 271 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Tesla Model Y. 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 Y 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 15145), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Tesla Model Y 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 77 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.