Tesla Cybertruck Safety: 5-Star NHTSA Rating & Comparisons
by AutoExpert | 28 February, 2025
Let's be honest – you probably have some strong feelings about the Tesla Cybertruck. It's basically impossible not to. That angular stainless steel behemoth has become the automotive equivalent of pineapple on pizza – people either absolutely love it or want it wiped from existence.
But here's something interesting that just happened: the Cybertruck scored a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Yep, that weird-looking truck that some folks swore would be a deathtrap just aced its crash tests.
So what's the deal? Is the Cybertruck actually safe? And how does it stack up against other electric trucks? Let's break it down.
"What Took So Long?" (And Other Burning Questions)
If you've been following Cybertruck news, you might be wondering why we're only getting crash test results in early 2025 when the truck started hitting roads in late 2023. That's actually pretty normal timing for the NHTSA.
They test dozens of new vehicles each year, and according to their own reports, the process can take anywhere from a few months to several years – especially for something as unusual as the Cybertruck with all its weird tech and design choices.
What About the IIHS?
Here's where things get interesting. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn't tested the Cybertruck, and there are no plans for them to do so. Why? Tesla claims their own internal crash tests are adequate, and they're not pursuing IIHS testing.
Which does make you wonder... if you just aced your NHTSA test, why wouldn't you want to go for the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award to complete the set? Hmm...
Cybertruck vs. The Competition: By the Numbers
Right now, there's only one other electric pickup that's been crash-tested by the NHTSA – the Ford F-150 Lightning. Here's how they stack up:
| Overall Rating | Front Impact | Side Impact | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Cybertruck | 5/5 Stars | 5/5 Stars | 5/5 Stars | 4/5 Stars |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 5/5 Stars | 4/5 Stars | 5/5 Stars | 4/5 Stars |
Some interesting notes:
- The Cybertruck got a perfect 5/5 in almost everything except rollover and passenger front impact, where it got 4/5
- The F-150 Lightning scored 4/5 on both driver and passenger front impact tests
- By the numbers, this makes the Cybertruck technically the safest electric pickup according to the NHTSA
What About Trucks Not Tested by the NHTSA?
This is where it gets tricky. You can't really compare NHTSA ratings directly to IIHS ratings – they test differently.
The Rivian R1T is the only electric pickup with full IIHS crash test results, and it holds a Top Safety Pick+ award. The R1T got "Good" ratings in almost every category, with front crash prevention receiving an "Acceptable."
This makes the R1T officially the IIHS's safest pickup on record right now. Could the Cybertruck beat it if Tesla decided to test with the IIHS? We'll probably never know.
The Tesla Safety Paradox
Here's the weird thing about Teslas – when it comes to crash tests, they're absolute stars.
The Model Y has a Top Safety Pick+ for the RWD model and a Top Safety Pick for the AWD version, plus a five-star NHTSA rating including a five-star rollover rating (which almost never happens for SUVs). The Cybertruck just crushed its NHTSA tests.
So judging by crash tests alone, Teslas are some of the safest vehicles you can buy.
But Then There Are the Recalls...
This is where Tesla's reputation takes a hit. Their recalls tend to be pretty dramatic and sometimes downright embarrassing.
The Cybertruck itself has already been recalled for:
- Loss of drive power
- Detaching trunk beds
- Unintended acceleration
And that's not even touching the complaints about vehicles becoming inoperable in high-stress situations, fire hazards in the Model 3, or the endless drama surrounding Tesla's self-driving features.
The Bottom Line
Driving a Tesla – even the Cybertruck – means signing up to be a bit of a guinea pig for cutting-edge tech that's still working out its kinks. But when it comes to surviving a crash? These vehicles are legitimately designed to protect you.
So if you're one of those people who loves the Cybertruck's apocalypse-ready aesthetic, you can feel pretty good about your safety in an accident. Just maybe keep an eye on those recall notices, yeah?
