The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched its crash test results for the Tesla Model 3, giving the electric sedan a five-star safety rating in each of the tested category.
Crash tests consists of a simulated 35-miles per hour frontal impact, a 38.5-mph side barrier impact, a side pole impact, along with a rollover test. In every scenario, the Model 3 performed to the NHTSA’s highest standards, achieve its comprehensive five-star rating. Furthermore, the vehicle features all four of the NHTSA’s recommended safety technologies as standard, consisting forward collision warning, dynamic brake support, crash imminent braking, and lane departure warning. Reuters noted a 1.7 percent increase in TSLA stocks on the day of the declaration.
Previous Tesla models like the Model X crossover and Model S sedan have gained equal ratings from the NHTSA. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) carried out its own crash testing on two of the vehicles, conflicting with the NHTSA’s result for the Model S, which the IIHS provided only an “adequate” rating. Tesla decried the rating, applauding the NHTSA’s testing methodologies, though it didn’t hesitate to applaud the IIHS’s strong ratings of its Model X.
Tesla Model 3s flunked the IIHS’s automatic braking test, that includes driving a vehicle toward a stationary target at 31 mph. With its “Autopilot” automated driving assist system inactive, both failed, colliding with the target, however the two vehicles outperformed their luxury sedan rivals when the system was on.
The NHTSA doesn’t list any recalls or complaints about the Model 3 on its website, but may need to verify with one customer who got a car with mismatched door panels. However, due to this is a cosmetic issue instead of a safety issue, it may not be the NHTSA’s forte.
