Tesla Model S Safety Ratings
NHTSA gives the 2021 Tesla Model S an overall safety rating of — out of 5 stars and 5 stars for rollover resistance.
Latest model year (2026):
NHTSA rates the Tesla Model S at — overall and 5 ★ rollover.
Tesla Model S Safety — All Years
| Year | Variant | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2021 Tesla Model S 5 HB AWD | — | — | — | 5 ★ | 24 | 175 |
Crash-test star ratings sourced from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Ratings apply to the tested body style and can differ between trims and drivetrain layouts.
Tesla Model S data analysis
How to read this Tesla Model S data
This page lists every 2021 Tesla Model S record we hold for this measurement — 1 row in total, one per configuration and model year rather than a single headline figure. Figures are published as the source agency records them: we do not round, average or interpolate missing years, and a year that is absent from the table is a year with no published measurement rather than a zero. Where a manufacturer offered several drivetrains or body styles in the same year, each appears on its own row, because those variants rarely share the same numbers.
Where these Tesla Model S figures come from
Every value on this page is loaded from federal open data — EPA fuel economy submissions, NHTSA vehicle and crash-test records, and manufacturer specification filings — rather than dealer listings or copied editorial content. The Tesla Model S record refreshes as the agencies publish, which typically means new model-year rows appear in the autumn and crash-test results follow through the model year as vehicles are tested. Because certification data is filed per configuration, treat any single headline number for this vehicle with caution: the figure that applies to a specific car depends on its engine, drivetrain, body style and model year, all of which are listed separately above. If a number here disagrees with a brochure, the brochure is usually quoting the best available configuration rather than the one being sold.
How the 2021 Tesla Model S scored
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program rates the 2021 Tesla Model S at 5 stars for rollover resistance. Its calculated rollover risk is 0.1% — the probability the agency's model assigns to a rollover in a single-vehicle crash. Stars are awarded against the test protocol in force for that model year and are not comparable across a protocol change, so read a year's rating against other vehicles of the same year rather than against an older or newer version of the same car.
Recalls and owner complaints
The 2021 Tesla Model S carries 24 open or completed safety recalls, 175 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 14 agency investigations. Recall counts are not a quality score on their own — a manufacturer that reports and fixes a defect early generates a recall, while one that does not may simply accumulate complaints instead. Check any specific car's VIN against the recall database before purchase: recalls are repaired free of charge regardless of ownership history, but only if the work has actually been carried out.
Driver-assistance equipment and how to read this record
NHTSA records the 2021 Tesla Model S as offering electronic stability control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning. Availability means the system was fitted or offered on the model year, not that every individual car has it — options and trim levels vary. This page covers 1 tested configuration across 2021, one row per body style and model year the agency has published. Where a field is blank the vehicle was not tested for that measure rather than scoring zero, and configurations are never merged, because a front-wheel-drive and an all-wheel-drive version of the same nameplate are separate tests.
Frequently Asked Questions About Model S Safety
Is the Tesla Model S a safe car?
NHTSA star ratings for the Tesla Model S vary by model year and body style. See the table above.
What is the rollover rating of the Tesla Model S?
The Tesla Model S scores 5 out of 5 stars for rollover resistance, with a calculated rollover risk of about 5.7%. Taller vehicles typically score lower here than sedans.
Does the Tesla Model S have driver assistance features?
NHTSA records the tested Tesla Model S as having electronic stability control, with forward collision warning and with lane departure warning. Availability varies by trim and package.
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