Used car safety, rank #58 of 188
Tesla Model 3 electric 2WD Safety Rating (2020-23)
Real IIHS driver death rates for the 2020-23 Tesla Model 3 electric 2WD, a midsize luxury car, compared with its class and with the current model.
IIHS 2026 edition Β· 2021β2024 crashes. Results apply only to the model years and drivetrain shown. Read the new release and its limits Β· Browse the older edition. Prices and reliability from older model years have not been carried forward.
The 2020-23 Tesla Model 3 electric 2WD has an IIHS driver death rate of 15 per million registered vehicle years against a midsize luxury cars average of 29, which is 48% below the class average. That places it #58 of 188 used vehicles with a safety score of 68.5/100.
What the Tesla Model 3 electric death rate means
At 15 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, the Tesla Model 3 electric 2WD beats the midsize luxury cars average of 29 by 48%. The 95% confidence interval is 6 to 24, so even the pessimistic end of the range is no worse than the class average.
The other-driver death rate of 43 measures the opposite risk: how many drivers of other vehicles died in crashes with a Tesla Model 3 electric. Its 95% confidence interval is 27β59. It is higher than the Tesla Model 3 electric's own driver death rate, the usual pattern for this class. Remember that death rates describe vehicles and their drivers together: IIHS adjusts for driver age and gender, but not for where or how carefully people drive. Our score weights this model's own rate at 70% and its class at 30%; see how we rank used cars.
Compared with similar used luxury cars
The safest midsize luxury cars in the IIHS study, by our score, with the Tesla Model 3 electric 2WD highlighted. It ranks 1 of the 3 shown.
| Vehicle | Years | Death rate | Score | Reliability | Used price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 electric 2WD (this page) | 2020-23 | 15 (6 to 24) | 68.5 | n/a | n/a |
| Lexus ES 350 | 2020-23 | 18 (0 to 37) | 63.2 | n/a | n/a |
| Tesla Model 3 electric 4WD | 2020-23 | 39 (23 to 55) | 34.8 | n/a | n/a |
Class average for midsize luxury cars: 29 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years.
The new Tesla Model 3 electric
Death rates lag the market by several years. For the current Tesla Model 3 electric we score IIHS crash tests instead; here is how the latest model years rate on our new-car scale.
| Model year | Model | IIHS award | New-car score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Tesla Model Y | TSP+ | 98.6 |
| 2026 | Tesla Model 3 | No award | 91.7 |
New-car scores use a different scale (crash tests, not death rates) and are not directly comparable with the 68.5 used-car score above.
International crash test results
Euro NCAP (2025)
Best in Class Large Family Car 2025.
ANCAP (2019)
International test results are for the same-generation model sold in those markets. Body structures are typically identical across regions. Euro NCAP vs IIHS explained.
Safety recalls for the Tesla Model 3 electric 2WD
A recall is a defect the manufacturer must repair free of charge, however old the car and whoever owns it now. On a used car this matters more than on a new one: the work is only done if a previous owner took it in.
12 recall campaigns on the 2023 model year, covering exterior lighting, back over prevention, steering, tires, latches/locks/linkages, seat belts, electrical system, air bags.
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Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk: Headlight low beams that are too bright can reduce visibility for oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The remedy is currently under development.
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Back over prevention: software
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.
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Steering: electric power assist system
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, free of charge.
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Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems
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.
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Latches/locks/linkages: hood, latch
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.
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Seat belts: front, warning light/devices
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.
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Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
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.
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Electrical system: adas, autonomous/self driving, software
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.
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Electrical system: propulsion system, traction battery
Risk: A defective battery disconnect may not isolate the vehicle's high voltage battery after a crash or fault detection, increasing the risk of electrical shock and injury.
Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the pyrotechnic battery disconnect, free of charge.
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Steering: automated/adaptive steering
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.
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Exterior lighting: tail lights
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.
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Air bags: side/window, curtain
Risk: A twisted side curtain air bag may improperly deploy, increasing the risk of injury or occupant ejection during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and realign the left and right side curtain air bag as necessary, free of charge.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-16. A campaign covers a range of build dates, not every car of the model year, and IIHS reports this nameplate across several years while these results are for 2023. Confirm against the VIN. Recalls do not affect the death rate on this page.
Tesla Model 3 electric 2WD: Common Questions
Is the Tesla Model 3 electric 2WD a safe car?
Yes, by the measure that matters most. IIHS recorded a driver death rate of 15 per million registered vehicle years for the 2020-23 Tesla Model 3 electric 2WD, 48% below the class average (29 for midsize luxury cars). That earns a used-car safety score of 68.5 out of 100 and rank #58 of 188 used vehicles.
What is the Tesla Model 3 electric 2WD driver death rate?
15 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, with a 95% confidence interval of 6 to 24. Drivers of other vehicles that collided with a Tesla Model 3 electric died at a rate of 43 per million. Source: IIHS driver death rates by make and model, covering 2020-23 models.
How does the Tesla Model 3 electric 2WD compare with other midsize luxury cars?
The midsize luxury cars class averages 29 driver deaths per million; the Tesla Model 3 electric 2WD sits at 15. Among the 3 midsize luxury cars compared above it ranks 1 by safety score.