Used car safety, rank #38 of 181
Tesla Model 3 2WD Safety Rating (2019-20)
Real IIHS driver death rates for the 2019-20 Tesla Model 3 2WD, a midsize luxury car, compared with its class and with the current model.
The 2019-20 Tesla Model 3 2WD has an IIHS driver death rate of 15 per million registered vehicle years against a midsize luxury cars average of 24.8, which is 40% below the class average. That places it #38 of 181 used vehicles with a safety score of 78.6/100.
What the Tesla Model 3 death rate means
At 15 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, the Tesla Model 3 2WD beats the midsize luxury cars average of 24.8 by 40%. The 95% confidence interval is 0 to 33, so the upper end of the range overlaps the class average and the advantage is not certain.
The other-driver death rate of 21 measures the opposite risk: how many drivers of other vehicles died in crashes with a Tesla Model 3. It is higher than the Tesla Model 3'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 2WD highlighted. It ranks 4 of the 9 shown; the class leader is the Lexus ES 350 at a death rate of 0.
| Vehicle | Years | Death rate | Score | Reliability | Used price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus ES 350 | 2019-20 | 0 (0 to 29) | 94.5 | 4.0/5 | $24,000 to $35,000 |
| Audi A4 2WD | 2017-20 | 7 (0 to 21) | 85.6 | 3.5/5 | $18,000 to $30,000 |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan 4WD | 2017-20 | 9 (0 to 21) | 84.0 | 3.5/5 | $20,000 to $34,000 |
| Tesla Model 3 2WD (this page) | 2019-20 | 15 (0 to 33) | 78.6 | n/a | n/a |
| Audi A4 4WD | 2017-20 | 17 (0 to 36) | 77.4 | 3.5/5 | n/a |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan 2WD | 2017-20 | 28 (5 to 51) | 64.2 | 3.5/5 | n/a |
| Acura TLX 2WD | 2018-20 | 31 (0 to 64) | 59.9 | n/a | n/a |
| Tesla Model 3 4WD | 2019-20 | 52 (9 to 96) | 42.8 | n/a | n/a |
| Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 2WD | 2017-20 | 64 (11 to 117) | 35.0 | n/a | n/a |
Class average for midsize luxury cars: 24.8 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years.
The new Tesla Model 3
Death rates lag the market by several years. For the current Tesla Model 3 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 78.6 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 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.
21 recall campaigns on the 2020 model year, covering exterior lighting, tires, seat belts, forward collision avoidance, electrical system, steering, visibility, back over prevention, air bags, suspension, service brakes, hydraulic.
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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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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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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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Forward collision avoidance: warnings, external/pedestrian alert
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.
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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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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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Seat belts: rear/other, anchorage
Risk: An incorrectly reassembled seat belt anchor can impair the performance of the seat belt during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and reassemble the seat belt anchors as necessary, free of charge.
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Visibility: power window devices and controls
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.
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Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Risk: The driver may not know how fast the vehicle is traveling without the mph or km/h unit display, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.
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Electrical system: software
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.
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Back over prevention: display function
Risk: A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.
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Electrical system: software
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, free of charge.
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Electrical system: software
Risk: The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.
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Electrical system: adas, autonomous/self driving, software
Risk: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge.
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Electrical system: wiring, rear compartment/trunk
Risk: A rearview camera that does not function reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and install a guide protector and new cable harness as necessary, free of charge.
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Forward collision avoidance: sensing system, camera
Risk: Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021.
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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.
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Suspension: critical fasteners
Risk: A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will tighten or replace the lateral link fasteners as necessary, free of charge.
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Seat belts
Risk: An improperly attached fastener may prevent the seat belt system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and repair both fasteners if necessary, free of charge.
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Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components, disc, caliper
Risk: Contact with the rim may cause a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and tighten, or replace the caliper bolts as necessary, free of charge.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-04. 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 2020. Confirm against the VIN. Recalls do not affect the death rate on this page.
Tesla Model 3 2WD: Common Questions
Is the Tesla Model 3 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 2019-20 Tesla Model 3 2WD, 40% below the class average (24.8 for midsize luxury cars). That earns a used-car safety score of 78.6 out of 100 and rank #38 of 181 used vehicles.
What is the Tesla Model 3 2WD driver death rate?
15 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, with a 95% confidence interval of 0 to 33. Drivers of other vehicles that collided with a Tesla Model 3 died at a rate of 21 per million. Source: IIHS driver death rates by make and model, covering 2019-20 models.
How does the Tesla Model 3 2WD compare with other midsize luxury cars?
The midsize luxury cars class averages 24.8 driver deaths per million; the Tesla Model 3 2WD sits at 15. Among the 9 midsize luxury cars compared above it ranks 4 by safety score; the top of that group is the Lexus ES 350 with a death rate of 0.