How safe is the Tesla Model 3 electric?
Drivers of the 2020–2023 Tesla Model 3 electric died at a rate of 21 per million registered vehicle years, 42% lower than the average of 37 for all vehicles. That makes it safer than most vehicles for its driver: it ranks 52nd of 129 vehicles, safer than 60% of them, whether they're small cars, SUVs, pickups or minivans.
Where the Tesla Model 3 electric sits among all 129 vehicles
Tesla Model 3 electric (bar is the 95% range)Every other ranked vehicleDashed line: average of 37
The rate is based on plenty of data, so this ranking is reliable.
2WD vs. 4WD
IIHS rates each drivetrain separately. The score above combines them, weighting the version with more data more heavily.
| Version | Deaths* | 95% range |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 electric 2WD | 15 | 6–24 |
| Tesla Model 3 electric 4WD | 39 | 23–55 |
Vehicles ranked near the Tesla Model 3 electric
These are the vehicles just above and below it on the all-class ranking. Notice they aren't all the same type: the ranking compares every vehicle against every other one. Ranks use each rate after adjusting for how much data is behind it, so a rate of 0 from a few vehicles can rank below a slightly higher rate from many. Why.
| Rank | Vehicle | Deaths* | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | Lincoln Nautilus 4WDLuxury SUV · Midsize | 17 | 62 |
| 50 | Ram 2500 crew cab short bed 4WDPickup · Very large | 20 | 62 |
| 51 | Hyundai TucsonSUV · Small | 20 | 61 |
| 52 | Tesla Model 3 electricLuxury car · Midsize | 21 | 60 |
| 53 | Ford F-150 SuperCrewPickup · Large | 21 | 59 |
| 54 | Chevrolet Silverado 2500 crew cab 4WDPickup · Very large | 21 | 59 |
| 55 | GMC Sierra 2500 crew cab 4WDPickup · Very large | 21 | 58 |
How it compares with other luxury cars
Among the 2 luxury cars ranked, the Tesla Model 3 electric is 2nd. The safest luxury cars are below. See all luxury cars.
| Luxury cars rank | Vehicle | Deaths* | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexus ES 350Luxury car · Midsize | 18 | 64 |
| 2 | Tesla Model 3 electricLuxury car · Midsize | 21 | 60 |
Earlier models
In the earlier IIHS study of 2019–2020 models, the Tesla Model 3 electric had a driver death rate of 20 (range 4–37) and ranked 42nd of 127. The newer rate is higher.
Common questions
Is the Tesla Model 3 electric a safe vehicle?
By real-world driver deaths, the Tesla Model 3 electric is safer than most vehicles for its driver. Its driver death rate of 21 per million registered vehicle years is 42% lower than the average, and it ranks 52nd of 129 vehicles across all classes.
How does the Tesla Model 3 electric compare with other luxury cars?
It ranks 2nd of 2 luxury cars. The safest is the Lexus ES 350, with a rate of 18.
Is the 2WD or 4WD Tesla Model 3 electric safer?
The 2WD version had the lower driver death rate (2WD: 15, 4WD: 39). Their ranges overlap, so the difference may be down to chance.
Why is this different from the Tesla Model 3 electric's crash-test rating?
Crash-test stars only compare vehicles of similar size and weight, so a 5-star small car and a 5-star SUV aren't equally safe. This ranking uses real-world driver death rates, which can be compared across every class.
* Driver deaths per million registered vehicle years. A registered vehicle year is one vehicle registered for one year.