Tesla's latest quarterly safety report for Autopilot shows a decline in miles driven between crashes for the third consecutive quarter. The data indicates one crash every 6.36 million miles with Autopilot engaged, compared to 993,000 miles without it and a U.S. average of 702,000 miles. Critics highlight ongoing methodological flaws in the reporting.
Tesla released its Q3 2025 Autopilot safety report on October 22, 2025, revealing concerning trends in the performance of its advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS). The report states: "In the 3rd quarter, we recorded one crash for every 6.36 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology. For drivers who were not using Autopilot technology, we recorded one crash for every 993,000 miles driven." For context, the most recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) data from 2023 shows a U.S. average of one crash every 702,000 miles.
This marks the third quarter in a row with a year-over-year decline in mileage between crashes when Autopilot is active. Previously, Tesla had paused reporting this data for over a year before resuming last year, with some edits to prior figures. The company adjusted its safety claim from Autopilot being "10x safer than the average human" to "9x safer," though it emphasizes that the system requires constant driver attention.
The report's methodology draws criticism for several reasons. It relies on self-reported data, counting only crashes that deploy airbags or restraints, excluding minor incidents, and does not disclose raw crash counts or vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Autopilot is predominantly used on limited-access highways, which are safer than the mixed-road U.S. baseline. Additionally, Tesla's driver base—often higher-income, tech-enthusiast owners of newer vehicles—may skew results toward lower crash rates.
While the report compares Autopilot-enabled driving to non-enabled Tesla driving and the national average, its primary value lies in tracking internal trends over time. Year-over-year comparisons account for seasonal factors like increased winter accidents. The worsening data raises questions about Autopilot's reliability, though Tesla maintains it enhances safety when used correctly.