The 2025 Tesla Cybertruck received diverging safety results from two U.S. testing bodies, highlighting both strengths and shortcomings in the electric pickup’s performance.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency responsible for official crash ratings, awarded the Cybertruck its highest overall mark, with five stars in front and side crash tests and four stars in rollover resistance. By NHTSA’s criteria, the truck ranks among the safest models in its segment.
By contrast, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an independent nonprofit, withheld its top honors after identifying several issues. The truck earned “good” ratings in the moderate overlap front crash test—though only for vehicles built after April 2025, when Tesla reinforced the front underbody structure—and in pedestrian crash prevention. However, IIHS gave the Cybertruck “marginal” marks for its seat belt reminder and “acceptable” scores for its child seat LATCH system. Its headlights received a “poor” rating, the lowest on the IIHS scale.
“These scores are varied,” the IIHS said in its summary, noting that without small overlap and side crash test results, combined with weak headlight performance, the Cybertruck could not qualify for a Top Safety Pick award.
The contrasting assessments underscore the challenges automakers face in meeting differing standards. While NHTSA’s five-star rating strengthens Tesla’s marketing case, IIHS’s concerns may weigh on consumer perceptions of the vehicle’s overall safety.
