Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

How Safe Are Teslas with Autopilot Activated?

Tesla has released internal data showing the number of crashes its electric cars in the U.S. have incurred with Autopilot engaged compared to the national average of automobile crashes.

by Staff
May 9, 2020
How Safe Are Teslas with Autopilot Activated?

Tesla Model 3 waits to be crashed as part of NHTSA's frontal, side, and rollover tests. 

Photo via NHTSA.

3 min to read


In the first quarter of 2020, Tesla vehicles in the U.S. registered one crash for every 4.68 million miles driven in which drivers had Autopilot engaged, the company released this week on its website. 

The data, pulled from the Tesla vehicles’ telematics, reveals a correlation between crashes when various levels of safety technology are engaged in Tesla vehicles:

Ad Loading...

For those driving Teslas without Autopilot but with active safety features, Tesla vehicles registered one crash for every 1.99 million miles driven in the first quarter. For those driving without Autopilot and without active safety features, Teslas registered one crash for every 1.42 million miles driven. 

Active safety features, which have been standard on Tesla models since 2014, include automatic emergency braking, lane departure avoidance, and conditional speed limits based on time of day and weather conditions.

The crash rates can be compared by quarter since October 2018, when Tesla began voluntarily releasing a quarterly Vehicle Safety Report. 

By comparison, NHTSA’s data during that timeframe showed that in the U.S. there is an automobile crash every from 479,000 miles to 492,000 miles. 

Crash data by quarter (below) show a steady — yet uneven — improvement by quarter since the third quarter of 2018. In the report, Tesla made the point that crash rates among all vehicles on the road can vary from quarter to quarter and can be affected by seasonality, like reduced daylight and inclement weather conditions. 

Ad Loading...

Crash Data by Quarter

Q1 2020

  • Autopilot: One crash every 4.68 million miles driven

  • No Autopilot, with active safety features: one every 1.99 million miles

  • No Autopilot, no active safety features: one every 1.42 million miles

Q4 2019

  • Autopilot: One crash every 3.07 million miles driven

  • No Autopilot, with active safety features: one every 2.1 million miles

  • No Autopilot, no active safety features: one every 1.64 million miles

Q3 2019

Ad Loading...
  • Autopilot: One crash every 4.34 million miles driven

  • No Autopilot, with active safety features: one every 2.7 million miles

  • No Autopilot, no active safety features: one every 1.82 million miles

Q2 2019

  • Autopilot: One crash every 3.27 million miles driven

  • No Autopilot, with active safety features: one every 2.19 million miles

  • No Autopilot, no active safety features: one every 1.41 million miles

Q1 2019

  • Autopilot: One crash every 2.87 million miles driven

  • No Autopilot, with active safety features: one every 1.76 million miles

  • No Autopilot, no active safety features: one every 1.26 million miles

Ad Loading...

Q4 2018

  • Autopilot: One crash every 2.91 million miles driven

  • No Autopilot, with active safety features: one every 1.58 million miles

  • No Autopilot, no active safety features: one every 1.25 million miles

Q3 2018

  • Autopilot: One crash every 3.34 million miles driven

  • No Autopilot, with active safety features: one every 1.92 million miles

  • No Autopilot, no active safety features: one every 2.02 million miles

More Fleet Forward

keynote speaker photo of David Harkey
Fleet Forwardby StaffMay 1, 2026

IIHS Brings Commercial Vehicle Safety Analysis to 2026 Fleet Forward Conference Stage

IIHS President David Harkey will share early findings from new testing of delivery vans, pickups, and work trucks — and what the data means for fleet safety decisions.

Read More →
Image of a fleet manager with fleet on left, data on right of his face.
Fleet Forwardby Chris BrownMay 1, 2026

Fleet Manager or Data Strategist? You’re Both

The job hasn’t changed, but the expectations have. Do you have a plan on how to use AI to thrive?

Read More →
Automotive Fleet awards--fleet visionary, hall of fame, and fleet manager of the year call to nominations.
Fleet Forwardby Faith HowellApril 27, 2026

Nominations Are Open for the 2026 Awards!

The Hall of Fame, Visionary, and Fleet Manager of the Year award nominations are officially live. Don't miss your chance to recognize someone deserving.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Automotive Fleet Fleet Manager of the Year 1985 winner Jack Lamb
Fleet Forwardby StaffApril 24, 2026

Fleet Manager of the Year Winners Over the Years

The Edward J. Bobit Fleet Manager of the Year award honors commercial fleet managers whose leadership, innovation, and business acumen have advanced the profession.

Read More →
VMS Virtual Fleet Manager graphic showing a central AI chip connected to vehicle data, diagnostics, and system workflows across a fleet management platform.
Fleet Forwardby News/Media ReleaseApril 22, 2026

Vehicle Management Systems Introduces Virtual Fleet Manager

VMS recently launched an AI-first fleet platform that streamlines system design, organizes data, and supports decision-making.

Read More →
Person using stylus on tablet with dashboard charts, illustrating LightMetrics AI system that filters driver safety alerts to reduce false positives for fleet managers.
Fleet Forwardby News/Media ReleaseApril 21, 2026

LightMetrics Launches Cloud AI Layer to Reduce False Driver Safety Alerts

New FP platform filters dashcam alerts before they reach fleet managers, aiming to cut false positives, improve trust, and streamline safety coaching.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic promoting 2026 nominations for the Automotive Fleet Manager of the Year Award, featuring a badge and a photo of the 2025 winner receiving the honor on stage.
Fleet Forwardby StaffApril 10, 2026

Call for Nominations: 2026 Fleet Manager of the Year Award

Nominations are now open for one of the fleet industry’s most prestigious honors—the Edward J. Bobit Professional Fleet Manager of the Year Award. Recognizing leaders who drive innovation, safety, and measurable impact, this award celebrates the very best in fleet management.

Read More →
AF Weekly News recap thumbnail represents a series.
Fleet Forwardby Faith HowellMarch 13, 2026

Is AI About to Change How Fleets Manage Vehicles? | AF News Recap

In this recap, host Faith Howell covers the top news released at Work Truck Week 2026.

Read More →
A graphic with two women looking at a computer screen represents the celebration of International Women's Day on March 8 for fleet leaders.
Fleet Forwardby Faith HowellMarch 9, 2026

Women in Fleet Reflect on Leadership and Industry Change

Kathryn Schifferle and Lori Olson discuss how technology, mentorship, and collaboration are shaping today’s fleet landscape.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A woman in a blue shirt and apron stands in an automotive suite with her arms crossed.
Fleet Forwardby News/Media ReleaseMarch 6, 2026

The Hourglass Foundation Debuts New Scholarship Program

The Hourglass Foundation has launched a $60,000 program dedicated to supporting future technicians in the workforce.

Read More →