The Tesla Cybertruck earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2024, including a four-star rollover resistance score with a 12.4% calculated risk. The critical finding: dynamic rollover tests—the ones that actually put vehicles through extreme maneuvers—showed no tip-over events.
This directly contradicts viral claims suggesting the truck becomes unstable at highway speeds. NHTSA’s testing included side barrier impacts at 38.5 MPH and side pole crashes at 20 MPH, all without rollover incidents.
The truck’s 6,800-pound weight and low center of gravity from battery placement actually enhance stability during side impacts.
Key findings from official testing:
- Dynamic rollover test: No tip-over occurred
- Rollover resistance: 4 stars (12.4% calculated risk)
- Side impact performance: 5 stars at multiple speeds
- Overall safety rating: 5 stars across all categories
No verified evidence supports claims of “flipping at 35 MPH” during standard driving maneuvers or emergency avoidance tests.
Physics vs. Viral Misinformation
Tesla’s safety claims align with engineering reality, despite social media skepticism.
Tesla claims the Cybertruck has the lowest rollover probability among pickups tested by NHTSA, with reportedly torsional rigidity exceeding hypercars. While that sounds like typical Tesla marketing language, the actual crash test results support the stability claims.
The physics work in the truck’s favor. Battery placement creates a low center of gravity that traditional pickup trucks can’t match. The wide stance and heavy battery pack resist the sideways forces that typically cause rollovers in lighter, taller vehicles.
Forum discussions and YouTube speculation about crash energy absorption lack the controlled conditions of NHTSA testing. Real crash tests use standardized speeds, angles, and measurement equipment—not viral videos shot from questionable angles.
For EV buyers worried about rollover risks, the official data matters more than social media claims. The Cybertruck’s rollover resistance actually exceeds most traditional pickups, despite weighing significantly more.
What this means: Separate verified crash test data from internet speculation when evaluating any vehicle’s safety claims.
