Tesla Model Y First to Pass NHTSA’s New Advanced Safety Tests for 2026

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that the 2026 Tesla Model Y is the first vehicle to pass its new advanced safety tests. These tests are part of the agency’s updated New Car Assessment Program, which now includes evaluations for lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning, and blind spot intervention. The new pass/fail requirements were approved in November 2024 and take effect for the 2026 model year, following a Congressional mandate.

Key Highlights

• Tesla Model Y is first to pass NHTSA’s new advanced safety tests for 2026
• New tests include lane keeping assistance and blind spot warning features
• NHTSA’s updated program aims to improve vehicle safety and inform buyers

Details of the New Safety Tests

NHTSA’s updated safety tests are separate from its mandatory auto safety standards. Automakers seek five-star safety ratings, which are important to many new car buyers. The new tests apply to Model Y vehicles manufactured on or after November 12, 2025. These tests assess advanced driver-assistance features, reflecting growing consumer interest in vehicle safety technologies.

NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program has been in place since 1978. It helps prospective buyers compare the safety features of different vehicles. Over the years, NHTSA has added several technologies to the program. Electronic stability control, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning were added in 2011. Rear visibility systems were included in 2013, and automatic emergency braking was introduced in 2015 for model-year 2018 vehicles.

Context and Ongoing Investigations

The agency has several ongoing investigations into Tesla. One probe focuses on the Full Self-Driving driver-assistance system. There are concerns that this system may not detect or warn drivers in poor visibility conditions. Despite these investigations, the Model Y met the new safety criteria.

Traffic safety remains a significant concern in the United States. After the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic deaths rose sharply. In 2022, pedestrian deaths reached their highest level since 1981. However, NHTSA reported that U.S. traffic deaths in the last year fell to the lowest number since 2019.

In September, the Trump administration delayed changes to the New Car Assessment Program by one year. Automakers requested more time to comply with the updated requirements. The new tests now represent the latest effort to improve vehicle safety and inform consumers about advanced safety features.

Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese and Matthew Lewis. Updated on May 8, 2026, at 09:13 AM IST.