Tesla Vehicle Safety Record

Tesla averages a C on the RecallIndex Safety Score across 28 vehicles in our database — roughly typical for the auto industry. Across the fleet, NHTSA records 2.8K consumer complaints and 283 recall campaigns. Brand averages can mask sharp model-to-model variation; the table below shows the spread.

Across 28 model-year combinations, Tesla averages roughly 101 consumer complaints per vehicle in NHTSA records. Complaint volume scales with production — high-selling models get more complaints in absolute terms simply because more units are on the road. The RecallIndex Safety Score normalizes for this so brands and models can be compared on a like-for-like basis.

Tesla has 283 NHTSA recall campaigns on record across all model years tracked here. Recall count alone can mislead — a single recall can affect millions of vehicles or just a few hundred VINs. The Safety Score weights each recall by component severity (engine, brakes, steering, airbags carry the highest weight) and the count of affected vehicles, so a small targeted recall on a minor component does not move the score the way a fleet-wide brake or airbag recall does.

For any specific Tesla vehicle, the authoritative way to check for open recalls is to enter its 17-character VIN at the official NHTSA Recalls portal. The portal queries directly against manufacturer recall records and will show whether your VIN is part of any active campaign and whether the remedy has been performed. Recall remedies are performed free of charge by the manufacturer\'s authorized dealer network under the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

For non-vehicle product recalls — child seats outside their factory installation, accessories, aftermarket parts — check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Tire-specific defect investigations are also tracked in NHTSA\'s separate tire recall database. The full RecallIndex methodology is documented on the methodology page.