diff --git a/docs/rules/no-unused-properties.md b/docs/rules/no-unused-properties.md
index e0e39eedb..932fb9563 100644
--- a/docs/rules/no-unused-properties.md
+++ b/docs/rules/no-unused-properties.md
@@ -54,7 +54,8 @@ This rule cannot be checked for use in other components (e.g. `mixins`, Property
 ```json
 {
   "vue/no-unused-properties": ["error", {
-    "groups": ["props"]
+    "groups": ["props"],
+    "deepData": false
   }]
 }
 ```
@@ -65,6 +66,7 @@ This rule cannot be checked for use in other components (e.g. `mixins`, Property
   - `"computed"`
   - `"methods"`
   - `"setup"`
+- `"deepData"` (`boolean`) If `true`, the object of the property defined in `data` will be searched deeply. Default is `false`. Include `"data"` in `groups` to use this option.
 
 ### `"groups": ["props", "data"]`
 
@@ -108,6 +110,32 @@ This rule cannot be checked for use in other components (e.g. `mixins`, Property
 
 </eslint-code-block>
 
+### `{ "groups": ["props", "data"], "deepData": true }`
+
+<eslint-code-block :rules="{'vue/no-unused-properties': ['error', {groups: ['props', 'data'], deepData: true}]}">
+
+```vue
+<template>
+  <Foo :param="state.used">
+</template>
+<script>
+  export default {
+    data() {
+      return {
+        state: {
+          /* ✓ GOOD */
+          used: null,
+          /* ✗ BAD (`state.unused` data not used) */
+          unused: null
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+</script>
+```
+
+</eslint-code-block>
+
 ### `"groups": ["props", "computed"]`
 
 <eslint-code-block :rules="{'vue/no-unused-properties': ['error', {groups: ['props', 'computed']}]}">
diff --git a/lib/rules/no-unused-properties.js b/lib/rules/no-unused-properties.js
index a405c8e60..61ac8357f 100644
--- a/lib/rules/no-unused-properties.js
+++ b/lib/rules/no-unused-properties.js
@@ -17,17 +17,12 @@ const eslintUtils = require('eslint-utils')
  */
 /**
  * @typedef {object} TemplatePropertiesContainer
- * @property {Set<string>} usedNames
+ * @property {UsedProperties} usedProperties
  * @property {Set<string>} refNames
  * @typedef {object} VueComponentPropertiesContainer
  * @property {ComponentPropertyData[]} properties
- * @property {Set<string>} usedNames
- * @property {boolean} unknown
- * @property {Set<string>} usedPropsNames
- * @property {boolean} unknownProps
- * @typedef { { node: FunctionExpression | ArrowFunctionExpression | FunctionDeclaration, index: number } } CallIdAndParamIndex
- * @typedef { { usedNames: UsedNames, unknown: boolean } } UsedProperties
- * @typedef { (context: RuleContext) => UsedProps } UsedPropsTracker
+ * @property {UsedProperties} usedProperties
+ * @property {UsedProperties} usedPropertiesForProps
  */
 
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -94,171 +89,290 @@ function getScope(context, currentNode) {
  * Extract names from references objects.
  * @param {VReference[]} references
  */
-function getReferencesNames(references) {
-  return references
-    .filter((ref) => ref.variable == null)
-    .map((ref) => ref.id.name)
+function getReferences(references) {
+  return references.filter((ref) => ref.variable == null).map((ref) => ref.id)
 }
 
-class UsedNames {
-  constructor() {
-    /** @type {Map<string, UsedPropsTracker[]>} */
-    this.map = new Map()
+/**
+ * @param {RuleContext} context
+ * @param {Identifier} id
+ * @returns {FunctionExpression | ArrowFunctionExpression | FunctionDeclaration | null}
+ */
+function findFunction(context, id) {
+  const calleeVariable = findVariable(context, id)
+  if (!calleeVariable) {
+    return null
+  }
+  if (calleeVariable.defs.length === 1) {
+    const def = calleeVariable.defs[0]
+    if (def.node.type === 'FunctionDeclaration') {
+      return def.node
+    }
+    if (
+      def.type === 'Variable' &&
+      def.parent.kind === 'const' &&
+      def.node.init
+    ) {
+      if (
+        def.node.init.type === 'FunctionExpression' ||
+        def.node.init.type === 'ArrowFunctionExpression'
+      ) {
+        return def.node.init
+      }
+      if (def.node.init.type === 'Identifier') {
+        return findFunction(context, def.node.init)
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  return null
+}
+
+/**
+ * @param {RuleContext} context
+ * @param {Identifier} id
+ * @returns {Expression}
+ */
+function findExpression(context, id) {
+  const variable = findVariable(context, id)
+  if (!variable) {
+    return id
   }
+  if (variable.defs.length === 1) {
+    const def = variable.defs[0]
+    if (
+      def.type === 'Variable' &&
+      def.parent.kind === 'const' &&
+      def.node.init
+    ) {
+      if (def.node.init.type === 'Identifier') {
+        return findExpression(context, def.node.init)
+      }
+      return def.node.init
+    }
+  }
+  return id
+}
+
+/**
+ * @typedef { (context: RuleContext) => UsedProperties } UsedPropertiesTracker
+ * @typedef { { node: CallExpression, index: number } } CallAndParamIndex
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Collects the used property names.
+ */
+class UsedProperties {
   /**
-   * @returns {IterableIterator<string>}
+   * @param {object} [option]
+   * @param {boolean} [option.unknown]
    */
-  names() {
-    return this.map.keys()
+  constructor(option) {
+    /** @type {Record<string, UsedPropertiesTracker[]>} */
+    this.map = {}
+    /** @type {CallAndParamIndex[]} */
+    this.calls = []
+    this.unknown = (option && option.unknown) || false
   }
+
   /**
    * @param {string} name
-   * @returns {UsedPropsTracker[]}
    */
-  get(name) {
-    return this.map.get(name) || []
+  isUsed(name) {
+    if (this.unknown) {
+      // If it is unknown, it is considered used.
+      return true
+    }
+    return Boolean(this.map[name])
   }
+
   /**
    * @param {string} name
-   * @param {UsedPropsTracker} tracker
+   * @param {UsedPropertiesTracker | null} tracker
    */
-  add(name, tracker) {
-    const list = this.map.get(name)
-    if (list) {
-      list.push(tracker)
-    } else {
-      this.map.set(name, [tracker])
-    }
+  addUsed(name, tracker) {
+    const trackers = this.map[name] || (this.map[name] = [])
+    if (tracker) trackers.push(tracker)
   }
+
   /**
-   * @param {UsedNames} other
+   * @param {string} name
+   * @returns {UsedPropertiesTracker}
    */
-  addAll(other) {
-    other.map.forEach((trackers, name) => {
-      const list = this.map.get(name)
-      if (list) {
-        list.push(...trackers)
-      } else {
-        this.map.set(name, trackers)
+  getPropsTracker(name) {
+    if (this.unknown) {
+      return () => new UsedProperties({ unknown: true })
+    }
+    const trackers = this.map[name] || []
+    return (context) => {
+      const result = new UsedProperties()
+      for (const tracker of trackers) {
+        result.merge(tracker(context))
       }
-    })
+      return result
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @param {UsedProperties | null} other
+   */
+  merge(other) {
+    if (!other) {
+      return
+    }
+    this.unknown = this.unknown || other.unknown
+    if (this.unknown) {
+      return
+    }
+    for (const [name, otherTrackers] of Object.entries(other.map)) {
+      const trackers = this.map[name] || (this.map[name] = [])
+      trackers.push(...otherTrackers)
+    }
+    this.calls.push(...other.calls)
   }
 }
 
 /**
+ * Collects the used property names for parameters of the function.
+ */
+class ParamsUsedProperties {
+  /**
+   * @param {FunctionDeclaration | FunctionExpression | ArrowFunctionExpression} node
+   * @param {RuleContext} context
+   */
+  constructor(node, context) {
+    this.node = node
+    this.context = context
+    /** @type {UsedProperties[]} */
+    this.params = []
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * @param {number} index
+   * @returns {UsedProperties | null}
+   */
+  getParam(index) {
+    const param = this.params[index]
+    if (param != null) {
+      return param
+    }
+    if (this.node.params[index]) {
+      return (this.params[index] = extractParamProperties(
+        this.node.params[index],
+        this.context
+      ))
+    }
+    return null
+  }
+}
+/**
+ * Extract the used property name from one parameter of the function.
+ * @param {Pattern} node
+ * @param {RuleContext} context
+ * @returns {UsedProperties}
+ */
+function extractParamProperties(node, context) {
+  const result = new UsedProperties()
+
+  while (node.type === 'AssignmentPattern') {
+    node = node.left
+  }
+  if (node.type === 'RestElement' || node.type === 'ArrayPattern') {
+    // cannot check
+    return result
+  }
+  if (node.type === 'ObjectPattern') {
+    result.merge(extractObjectPatternProperties(node))
+    return result
+  }
+  if (node.type !== 'Identifier') {
+    return result
+  }
+  const variable = findVariable(context, node)
+  if (!variable) {
+    return result
+  }
+  for (const reference of variable.references) {
+    const id = reference.identifier
+    result.merge(extractPatternOrThisProperties(id, context, false))
+  }
+
+  return result
+}
+
+/**
+ * Extract the used property name from ObjectPattern.
  * @param {ObjectPattern} node
  * @returns {UsedProperties}
  */
 function extractObjectPatternProperties(node) {
-  const usedNames = new UsedNames()
+  const result = new UsedProperties()
   for (const prop of node.properties) {
     if (prop.type === 'Property') {
       const name = utils.getStaticPropertyName(prop)
       if (name) {
-        usedNames.add(name, getObjectPatternPropertyPatternTracker(prop.value))
+        result.addUsed(name, getObjectPatternPropertyPatternTracker(prop.value))
       } else {
         // If cannot trace name, everything is used!
-        return {
-          usedNames,
-          unknown: true
-        }
+        result.unknown = true
+        return result
       }
     } else {
       // If use RestElement, everything is used!
-      return {
-        usedNames,
-        unknown: true
-      }
+      result.unknown = true
+      return result
     }
   }
-  return {
-    usedNames,
-    unknown: false
-  }
+  return result
 }
 
 /**
- * @param {Pattern} pattern
- * @returns {UsedPropsTracker}
+ * Extract the used property name from id.
+ * @param {Identifier} node
+ * @param {RuleContext} context
+ * @returns {UsedProperties}
  */
-function getObjectPatternPropertyPatternTracker(pattern) {
-  if (pattern.type === 'ObjectPattern') {
-    return () => {
-      const result = new UsedProps()
-      const { usedNames, unknown } = extractObjectPatternProperties(pattern)
-      result.usedNames.addAll(usedNames)
-      result.unknown = unknown
-      return result
-    }
-  }
-  if (pattern.type === 'Identifier') {
-    return (context) => {
-      const result = new UsedProps()
-      const variable = findVariable(context, pattern)
-      if (!variable) {
-        return result
-      }
-      for (const reference of variable.references) {
-        const id = reference.identifier
-        const { usedNames, unknown, calls } = extractPatternOrThisProperties(
-          id,
-          context
-        )
-        result.usedNames.addAll(usedNames)
-        result.unknown = result.unknown || unknown
-        result.calls.push(...calls)
-      }
-      return result
-    }
-  } else if (pattern.type === 'AssignmentPattern') {
-    return getObjectPatternPropertyPatternTracker(pattern.left)
-  }
-  return () => {
-    const result = new UsedProps()
-    result.unknown = true
+function extractIdentifierProperties(node, context) {
+  const result = new UsedProperties()
+  const variable = findVariable(context, node)
+  if (!variable) {
     return result
   }
+  for (const reference of variable.references) {
+    const id = reference.identifier
+    result.merge(extractPatternOrThisProperties(id, context, false))
+  }
+  return result
 }
-
 /**
+ * Extract the used property name from pattern or `this`.
  * @param {Identifier | MemberExpression | ChainExpression | ThisExpression} node
  * @param {RuleContext} context
- * @returns {UsedProps}
+ * @param {boolean} withInTemplate
+ * @returns {UsedProperties}
  */
-function extractPatternOrThisProperties(node, context) {
-  const result = new UsedProps()
+function extractPatternOrThisProperties(node, context, withInTemplate) {
+  const result = new UsedProperties()
   const parent = node.parent
   if (parent.type === 'AssignmentExpression') {
+    if (withInTemplate) {
+      return result
+    }
     if (parent.right === node && parent.left.type === 'ObjectPattern') {
       // `({foo} = arg)`
-      const { usedNames, unknown } = extractObjectPatternProperties(parent.left)
-      result.usedNames.addAll(usedNames)
-      result.unknown = result.unknown || unknown
+      result.merge(extractObjectPatternProperties(parent.left))
     }
     return result
   } else if (parent.type === 'VariableDeclarator') {
+    if (withInTemplate) {
+      return result
+    }
     if (parent.init === node) {
       if (parent.id.type === 'ObjectPattern') {
         // `const {foo} = arg`
-        const { usedNames, unknown } = extractObjectPatternProperties(parent.id)
-        result.usedNames.addAll(usedNames)
-        result.unknown = result.unknown || unknown
+        result.merge(extractObjectPatternProperties(parent.id))
       } else if (parent.id.type === 'Identifier') {
         // `const foo = arg`
-        const variable = findVariable(context, parent.id)
-        if (!variable) {
-          return result
-        }
-        for (const reference of variable.references) {
-          const id = reference.identifier
-          const { usedNames, unknown, calls } = extractPatternOrThisProperties(
-            id,
-            context
-          )
-          result.usedNames.addAll(usedNames)
-          result.unknown = result.unknown || unknown
-          result.calls.push(...calls)
-        }
+        result.merge(extractIdentifierProperties(parent.id, context))
       }
     }
     return result
@@ -267,8 +381,8 @@ function extractPatternOrThisProperties(node, context) {
       // `arg.foo`
       const name = utils.getStaticPropertyName(parent)
       if (name) {
-        result.usedNames.add(name, () =>
-          extractPatternOrThisProperties(parent, context)
+        result.addUsed(name, () =>
+          extractPatternOrThisProperties(parent, context, withInTemplate)
         )
       } else {
         result.unknown = true
@@ -276,133 +390,73 @@ function extractPatternOrThisProperties(node, context) {
     }
     return result
   } else if (parent.type === 'CallExpression') {
+    if (withInTemplate) {
+      return result
+    }
     const argIndex = parent.arguments.indexOf(node)
-    if (argIndex > -1 && parent.callee.type === 'Identifier') {
+    if (argIndex > -1) {
       // `foo(arg)`
-      const calleeVariable = findVariable(context, parent.callee)
-      if (!calleeVariable) {
-        return result
-      }
-      if (calleeVariable.defs.length === 1) {
-        const def = calleeVariable.defs[0]
-        if (
-          def.type === 'Variable' &&
-          def.parent.kind === 'const' &&
-          def.node.init &&
-          (def.node.init.type === 'FunctionExpression' ||
-            def.node.init.type === 'ArrowFunctionExpression')
-        ) {
-          result.calls.push({
-            node: def.node.init,
-            index: argIndex
-          })
-        } else if (def.node.type === 'FunctionDeclaration') {
-          result.calls.push({
-            node: def.node,
-            index: argIndex
-          })
-        }
-      }
+      result.calls.push({
+        node: parent,
+        index: argIndex
+      })
     }
   } else if (parent.type === 'ChainExpression') {
-    const { usedNames, unknown, calls } = extractPatternOrThisProperties(
-      parent,
-      context
+    result.merge(
+      extractPatternOrThisProperties(parent, context, withInTemplate)
     )
-    result.usedNames.addAll(usedNames)
-    result.unknown = result.unknown || unknown
-    result.calls.push(...calls)
+  } else if (
+    parent.type === 'ArrowFunctionExpression' ||
+    parent.type === 'ReturnStatement' ||
+    parent.type === 'VExpressionContainer' ||
+    parent.type === 'Property' ||
+    parent.type === 'ArrayExpression'
+  ) {
+    // Maybe used externally.
+    if (maybeExternalUsed(parent)) {
+      result.unknown = true
+    }
   }
   return result
-}
 
-/**
- * Collects the property names used.
- */
-class UsedProps {
-  constructor() {
-    this.usedNames = new UsedNames()
-    /** @type {CallIdAndParamIndex[]} */
-    this.calls = []
-    this.unknown = false
-  }
-}
-
-/**
- * Collects the property names used for one parameter of the function.
- */
-class ParamUsedProps extends UsedProps {
   /**
-   * @param {Pattern} paramNode
-   * @param {RuleContext} context
+   * @param {ASTNode} parentTarget
+   * @returns {boolean}
    */
-  constructor(paramNode, context) {
-    super()
-    while (paramNode.type === 'AssignmentPattern') {
-      paramNode = paramNode.left
+  function maybeExternalUsed(parentTarget) {
+    if (
+      parentTarget.type === 'ReturnStatement' ||
+      parentTarget.type === 'VExpressionContainer'
+    ) {
+      return true
     }
-    if (paramNode.type === 'RestElement' || paramNode.type === 'ArrayPattern') {
-      // cannot check
-      return
+    if (parentTarget.type === 'ArrayExpression') {
+      return maybeExternalUsed(parentTarget.parent)
     }
-    if (paramNode.type === 'ObjectPattern') {
-      const { usedNames, unknown } = extractObjectPatternProperties(paramNode)
-      this.usedNames.addAll(usedNames)
-      this.unknown = this.unknown || unknown
-      return
+    if (parentTarget.type === 'Property') {
+      return maybeExternalUsed(parentTarget.parent.parent)
     }
-    if (paramNode.type !== 'Identifier') {
-      return
-    }
-    const variable = findVariable(context, paramNode)
-    if (!variable) {
-      return
-    }
-    for (const reference of variable.references) {
-      const id = reference.identifier
-      const { usedNames, unknown, calls } = extractPatternOrThisProperties(
-        id,
-        context
-      )
-      this.usedNames.addAll(usedNames)
-      this.unknown = this.unknown || unknown
-      this.calls.push(...calls)
+    if (parentTarget.type === 'ArrowFunctionExpression') {
+      return parentTarget.body === node
     }
+    return false
   }
 }
 
 /**
- * Collects the property names used for parameters of the function.
+ * @param {Pattern} pattern
+ * @returns {UsedPropertiesTracker}
  */
-class ParamsUsedProps {
-  /**
-   * @param {FunctionDeclaration | FunctionExpression | ArrowFunctionExpression} node
-   * @param {RuleContext} context
-   */
-  constructor(node, context) {
-    this.node = node
-    this.context = context
-    /** @type {ParamUsedProps[]} */
-    this.params = []
+function getObjectPatternPropertyPatternTracker(pattern) {
+  if (pattern.type === 'ObjectPattern') {
+    return () => extractObjectPatternProperties(pattern)
   }
-
-  /**
-   * @param {number} index
-   * @returns {ParamUsedProps | null}
-   */
-  getParam(index) {
-    const param = this.params[index]
-    if (param != null) {
-      return param
-    }
-    if (this.node.params[index]) {
-      return (this.params[index] = new ParamUsedProps(
-        this.node.params[index],
-        this.context
-      ))
-    }
-    return null
+  if (pattern.type === 'Identifier') {
+    return (context) => extractIdentifierProperties(pattern, context)
+  } else if (pattern.type === 'AssignmentPattern') {
+    return getObjectPatternPropertyPatternTracker(pattern.left)
   }
+  return () => new UsedProperties({ unknown: true })
 }
 
 // ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -435,7 +489,8 @@ module.exports = {
             },
             additionalItems: false,
             uniqueItems: true
-          }
+          },
+          deepData: { type: 'boolean' }
         },
         additionalProperties: false
       }
@@ -448,12 +503,13 @@ module.exports = {
   create(context) {
     const options = context.options[0] || {}
     const groups = new Set(options.groups || [GROUP_PROPERTY])
+    const deepData = Boolean(options.deepData)
 
-    /** @type {Map<FunctionDeclaration | FunctionExpression | ArrowFunctionExpression, ParamsUsedProps>} */
-    const paramsUsedPropsMap = new Map()
+    /** @type {Map<FunctionDeclaration | FunctionExpression | ArrowFunctionExpression, ParamsUsedProperties>} */
+    const paramsUsedPropertiesMap = new Map()
     /** @type {TemplatePropertiesContainer} */
     const templatePropertiesContainer = {
-      usedNames: new Set(),
+      usedProperties: new UsedProperties(),
       refNames: new Set()
     }
     /** @type {Map<ASTNode, VueComponentPropertiesContainer>} */
@@ -461,13 +517,13 @@ module.exports = {
 
     /**
      * @param {FunctionDeclaration | FunctionExpression | ArrowFunctionExpression} node
-     * @returns {ParamsUsedProps}
+     * @returns {ParamsUsedProperties}
      */
-    function getParamsUsedProps(node) {
-      let usedProps = paramsUsedPropsMap.get(node)
+    function getParamsUsedProperties(node) {
+      let usedProps = paramsUsedPropertiesMap.get(node)
       if (!usedProps) {
-        usedProps = new ParamsUsedProps(node, context)
-        paramsUsedPropsMap.set(node, usedProps)
+        usedProps = new ParamsUsedProperties(node, context)
+        paramsUsedPropertiesMap.set(node, usedProps)
       }
       return usedProps
     }
@@ -481,37 +537,84 @@ module.exports = {
       if (!container) {
         container = {
           properties: [],
-          usedNames: new Set(),
-          usedPropsNames: new Set(),
-          unknown: false,
-          unknownProps: false
+          usedProperties: new UsedProperties(),
+          usedPropertiesForProps: new UsedProperties()
         }
         vueComponentPropertiesContainerMap.set(node, container)
       }
       return container
     }
+    /**
+     * @param {string[]} segments
+     * @param {Expression} propertyValue
+     * @param {UsedProperties} baseUsedProperties
+     */
+    function verifyDataOptionDeepProperties(
+      segments,
+      propertyValue,
+      baseUsedProperties
+    ) {
+      let targetExpr = propertyValue
+      if (targetExpr.type === 'Identifier') {
+        targetExpr = findExpression(context, targetExpr)
+      }
+      if (targetExpr.type === 'ObjectExpression') {
+        const usedProperties = resolvedUsedProperties(baseUsedProperties, {
+          allowUnknownCall: true
+        })
+        if (usedProperties.unknown) {
+          return
+        }
+
+        for (const prop of targetExpr.properties) {
+          if (prop.type !== 'Property') {
+            continue
+          }
+          const name = utils.getStaticPropertyName(prop)
+          if (name == null) {
+            continue
+          }
+          if (!usedProperties.isUsed(name)) {
+            // report
+            context.report({
+              node: prop.key,
+              messageId: 'unused',
+              data: {
+                group: PROPERTY_LABEL.data,
+                name: [...segments, name].join('.')
+              }
+            })
+            continue
+          }
+          // next
+          verifyDataOptionDeepProperties(
+            [...segments, name],
+            prop.value,
+            usedProperties.getPropsTracker(name)(context)
+          )
+        }
+      }
+    }
 
     /**
      * Report all unused properties.
      */
     function reportUnusedProperties() {
       for (const container of vueComponentPropertiesContainerMap.values()) {
-        if (container.unknown) {
-          // unknown
+        const usedProperties = resolvedUsedProperties(container.usedProperties)
+        usedProperties.merge(templatePropertiesContainer.usedProperties)
+        if (usedProperties.unknown) {
           continue
         }
+
+        const usedPropertiesForProps = resolvedUsedProperties(
+          container.usedPropertiesForProps
+        )
+
         for (const property of container.properties) {
-          if (
-            container.usedNames.has(property.name) ||
-            templatePropertiesContainer.usedNames.has(property.name)
-          ) {
-            // used
-            continue
-          }
           if (
             property.groupName === 'props' &&
-            (container.unknownProps ||
-              container.usedPropsNames.has(property.name))
+            usedPropertiesForProps.isUsed(property.name)
           ) {
             // used props
             continue
@@ -523,6 +626,22 @@ module.exports = {
             // used template refs
             continue
           }
+          if (usedProperties.isUsed(property.name)) {
+            // used
+            if (
+              deepData &&
+              property.groupName === 'data' &&
+              property.type === 'object'
+            ) {
+              // Check the deep properties of the data option.
+              verifyDataOptionDeepProperties(
+                [property.name],
+                property.property.value,
+                usedProperties.getPropsTracker(property.name)(context)
+              )
+            }
+            continue
+          }
           context.report({
             node: property.node,
             messageId: 'unused',
@@ -536,60 +655,60 @@ module.exports = {
     }
 
     /**
-     * @param {UsedProps} usedProps
-     * @param {Map<ASTNode,Set<number>>} already
-     * @returns {IterableIterator<UsedProps>}
+     * @param {UsedProperties | null} usedProps
+     * @param {object} [options]
+     * @param {boolean} [options.allowUnknownCall]
+     * @returns {UsedProperties}
      */
-    function* iterateUsedProps(usedProps, already = new Map()) {
-      yield usedProps
-      for (const call of usedProps.calls) {
-        let alreadyIndexes = already.get(call.node)
-        if (!alreadyIndexes) {
-          alreadyIndexes = new Set()
-          already.set(call.node, alreadyIndexes)
+    function resolvedUsedProperties(usedProps, options) {
+      const allowUnknownCall = options && options.allowUnknownCall
+      const already = new Map()
+
+      const result = new UsedProperties()
+      for (const up of iterate(usedProps)) {
+        result.merge(up)
+        if (result.unknown) {
+          break
         }
-        if (alreadyIndexes.has(call.index)) {
-          continue
-        }
-        alreadyIndexes.add(call.index)
-        const paramsUsedProps = getParamsUsedProps(call.node)
-        const paramUsedProps = paramsUsedProps.getParam(call.index)
-        if (!paramUsedProps) {
-          continue
-        }
-        yield paramUsedProps
-        yield* iterateUsedProps(paramUsedProps, already)
       }
-    }
+      return result
 
-    /**
-     * @param {VueComponentPropertiesContainer} container
-     * @param {UsedProps} baseUseProps
-     */
-    function processParamPropsUsed(container, baseUseProps) {
-      for (const { usedNames, unknown } of iterateUsedProps(baseUseProps)) {
-        if (unknown) {
-          container.unknownProps = true
+      /**
+       * @param {UsedProperties | null} usedProps
+       * @returns {IterableIterator<UsedProperties>}
+       */
+      function* iterate(usedProps) {
+        if (!usedProps) {
           return
         }
-        for (const name of usedNames.names()) {
-          container.usedPropsNames.add(name)
-        }
-      }
-    }
+        yield usedProps
+        for (const call of usedProps.calls) {
+          if (call.node.callee.type !== 'Identifier') {
+            if (allowUnknownCall) {
+              yield new UsedProperties({ unknown: true })
+            }
+            continue
+          }
+          const fnNode = findFunction(context, call.node.callee)
+          if (!fnNode) {
+            if (allowUnknownCall) {
+              yield new UsedProperties({ unknown: true })
+            }
+            continue
+          }
 
-    /**
-     * @param {VueComponentPropertiesContainer} container
-     * @param {UsedProps} baseUseProps
-     */
-    function processUsed(container, baseUseProps) {
-      for (const { usedNames, unknown } of iterateUsedProps(baseUseProps)) {
-        if (unknown) {
-          container.unknown = true
-          return
-        }
-        for (const name of usedNames.names()) {
-          container.usedNames.add(name)
+          let alreadyIndexes = already.get(fnNode)
+          if (!alreadyIndexes) {
+            alreadyIndexes = new Set()
+            already.set(fnNode, alreadyIndexes)
+          }
+          if (alreadyIndexes.has(call.index)) {
+            continue
+          }
+          alreadyIndexes.add(call.index)
+          const paramsUsedProps = getParamsUsedProperties(fnNode)
+          const paramUsedProps = paramsUsedProps.getParam(call.index)
+          yield* iterate(paramUsedProps)
         }
       }
     }
@@ -607,28 +726,44 @@ module.exports = {
         return null
       }
       const property = node.parent
-      if (!property.parent || property.parent.type !== 'ObjectExpression') {
+      if (!utils.isProperty(property)) {
         return null
       }
-      return /** @type {Property} */ (property)
+      return property
     }
 
-    const scriptVisitor = Object.assign(
+    const scriptVisitor = utils.compositingVisitors(
       {},
       utils.defineVueVisitor(context, {
         onVueObjectEnter(node) {
           const container = getVueComponentPropertiesContainer(node)
-          const watcherUsedProperties = new Set()
+
           for (const watcher of utils.iterateProperties(
             node,
             new Set([GROUP_WATCHER])
           )) {
             // Process `watch: { foo /* <- this */ () {} }`
-            let path
-            for (const seg of watcher.name.split('.')) {
-              path = path ? `${path}.${seg}` : seg
-              watcherUsedProperties.add(path)
-            }
+            const segments = watcher.name.split('.')
+            container.usedProperties.addUsed(segments[0], (context) => {
+              return buildChainTracker(segments)(context)
+              /**
+               * @param {string[]} baseSegments
+               * @returns {UsedPropertiesTracker}
+               */
+              function buildChainTracker(baseSegments) {
+                return () => {
+                  const subSegments = baseSegments.slice(1)
+                  const usedProps = new UsedProperties()
+                  if (subSegments.length) {
+                    usedProps.addUsed(
+                      subSegments[0],
+                      buildChainTracker(subSegments)
+                    )
+                  }
+                  return usedProps
+                }
+              }
+            })
 
             // Process `watch: { x: 'foo' /* <- this */  }`
             if (watcher.type === 'object') {
@@ -643,19 +778,14 @@ module.exports = {
                   ) {
                     const name = utils.getStringLiteralValue(handlerValueNode)
                     if (name != null) {
-                      watcherUsedProperties.add(name)
+                      container.usedProperties.addUsed(name, null)
                     }
                   }
                 }
               }
             }
           }
-          for (const prop of utils.iterateProperties(node, groups)) {
-            if (watcherUsedProperties.has(prop.name)) {
-              continue
-            }
-            container.properties.push(prop)
-          }
+          container.properties.push(...utils.iterateProperties(node, groups))
         },
         /** @param { (FunctionExpression | ArrowFunctionExpression) & { parent: Property }} node */
         'ObjectExpression > Property > :function[params.length>0]'(
@@ -696,70 +826,44 @@ module.exports = {
                 ) {
                   return
                 }
-                // check { computed: { foo: { get: () => vm.prop } } }
+                // check { computed: { foo: { get: (vm) => vm.prop } } }
               } else {
                 return
               }
             }
           }
 
-          const paramsUsedProps = getParamsUsedProps(node)
-          const usedProps = /** @type {ParamUsedProps} */ (paramsUsedProps.getParam(
-            0
-          ))
-          processUsed(
-            getVueComponentPropertiesContainer(vueData.node),
-            usedProps
-          )
+          const paramsUsedProps = getParamsUsedProperties(node)
+          const usedProps = paramsUsedProps.getParam(0)
+          const container = getVueComponentPropertiesContainer(vueData.node)
+          container.usedProperties.merge(usedProps)
         },
         onSetupFunctionEnter(node, vueData) {
           const container = getVueComponentPropertiesContainer(vueData.node)
-          if (node.params[0]) {
-            const paramsUsedProps = getParamsUsedProps(node)
-            const paramUsedProps = /** @type {ParamUsedProps} */ (paramsUsedProps.getParam(
-              0
-            ))
-
-            processParamPropsUsed(container, paramUsedProps)
-          }
+          const paramsUsedProps = getParamsUsedProperties(node)
+          const paramUsedProps = paramsUsedProps.getParam(0)
+          container.usedPropertiesForProps.merge(paramUsedProps)
         },
         onRenderFunctionEnter(node, vueData) {
           const container = getVueComponentPropertiesContainer(vueData.node)
-          if (node.params[0]) {
-            // for Vue 3.x render
-            const paramsUsedProps = getParamsUsedProps(node)
-            const paramUsedProps = /** @type {ParamUsedProps} */ (paramsUsedProps.getParam(
-              0
-            ))
-
-            processParamPropsUsed(container, paramUsedProps)
-            if (container.unknownProps) {
-              return
-            }
+
+          // Check for Vue 3.x render
+          const paramsUsedProps = getParamsUsedProperties(node)
+          const ctxUsedProps = paramsUsedProps.getParam(0)
+
+          container.usedPropertiesForProps.merge(ctxUsedProps)
+          if (container.usedPropertiesForProps.unknown) {
+            return
           }
 
-          if (vueData.functional && node.params[1]) {
-            // for Vue 2.x render & functional
-            const paramsUsedProps = getParamsUsedProps(node)
-            const paramUsedProps = /** @type {ParamUsedProps} */ (paramsUsedProps.getParam(
-              1
-            ))
-
-            for (const { usedNames, unknown } of iterateUsedProps(
-              paramUsedProps
-            )) {
-              if (unknown) {
-                container.unknownProps = true
-                return
-              }
-              for (const usedPropsTracker of usedNames.get('props')) {
-                const propUsedProps = usedPropsTracker(context)
-                processParamPropsUsed(container, propUsedProps)
-                if (container.unknownProps) {
-                  return
-                }
-              }
-            }
+          if (vueData.functional) {
+            // Check for Vue 2.x render & functional
+            const contextUsedProps = resolvedUsedProperties(
+              paramsUsedProps.getParam(1)
+            )
+            const tracker = contextUsedProps.getPropsTracker('props')
+            const propUsedProps = tracker(context)
+            container.usedPropertiesForProps.merge(propUsedProps)
           }
         },
         /**
@@ -771,9 +875,8 @@ module.exports = {
             return
           }
           const container = getVueComponentPropertiesContainer(vueData.node)
-          const usedProps = extractPatternOrThisProperties(node, context)
-
-          processUsed(container, usedProps)
+          const usedProps = extractPatternOrThisProperties(node, context, false)
+          container.usedProperties.merge(usedProps)
         }
       }),
       {
@@ -791,8 +894,11 @@ module.exports = {
        * @param {VExpressionContainer} node
        */
       VExpressionContainer(node) {
-        for (const name of getReferencesNames(node.references)) {
-          templatePropertiesContainer.usedNames.add(name)
+        for (const id of getReferences(node.references)) {
+          templatePropertiesContainer.usedProperties.addUsed(
+            id.name,
+            (context) => extractPatternOrThisProperties(id, context, true)
+          )
         }
       },
       /**
diff --git a/lib/utils/index.js b/lib/utils/index.js
index 3df90418a..b6ed05900 100644
--- a/lib/utils/index.js
+++ b/lib/utils/index.js
@@ -1652,11 +1652,14 @@ function findAssignmentProperty(node, name, filter) {
 
 /**
  * Checks whether the given node is Property.
- * @param {Property | SpreadElement} node
+ * @param {Property | SpreadElement | AssignmentProperty} node
  * @returns {node is Property}
  */
 function isProperty(node) {
-  return node.type === 'Property'
+  if (node.type !== 'Property') {
+    return false
+  }
+  return !node.parent || node.parent.type === 'ObjectExpression'
 }
 /**
  * Checks whether the given node is AssignmentProperty.
diff --git a/tests/lib/rules/no-unused-properties.js b/tests/lib/rules/no-unused-properties.js
index 1419add66..89478e06b 100644
--- a/tests/lib/rules/no-unused-properties.js
+++ b/tests/lib/rules/no-unused-properties.js
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ const tester = new RuleTester({
 const allOptions = [
   { groups: ['props', 'computed', 'data', 'methods', 'setup'] }
 ]
+const deepDataOptions = [{ groups: ['data'], deepData: true }]
 
 tester.run('no-unused-properties', rule, {
   valid: [
@@ -1143,6 +1144,273 @@ tester.run('no-unused-properties', rule, {
         };
       </script>
       `
+    },
+
+    // deep data
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <template>
+         {{ foo.baz.b }}
+        </template>
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            data() {
+              return {
+                foo: {
+                  bar: {
+                    a: 1
+                  },
+                  baz: {
+                    b: 1
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            methods: {
+              a () {
+                return this.foo.bar.a
+              }
+            }
+          };
+        </script>
+      `,
+      options: deepDataOptions
+    },
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            data() {
+              return {
+                foo: {
+                  bar: {
+                    a: 1
+                  },
+                  baz: {
+                    b: 1
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            created() {
+              alert(this.foo)
+            }
+          };
+        </script>
+      `,
+      options: deepDataOptions
+    },
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            data() {
+              return {
+                foo: {
+                  bar: {
+                    a: 1
+                  },
+                  baz: {
+                    b: 1
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            created() {
+              fn(this.foo)
+            }
+          };
+          function fn(foo) {
+            return foo.bar.a + foo.baz.b
+          }
+        </script>
+      `,
+      options: deepDataOptions
+    },
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <template>
+          {{ foo.bar }}
+          {{ foo.baz }}
+        </template>
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            data() {
+              return {
+                foo: {
+                  bar: {
+                    a: 1
+                  },
+                  baz: {
+                    b: 1
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          };
+        </script>
+      `,
+      options: deepDataOptions
+    },
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            data() {
+              return {
+                foo: {
+                  bar: {
+                    a: 1
+                  },
+                  baz: {
+                    b: 1
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            methods: {
+              a () {
+                return this.foo
+              }
+            }
+          };
+        </script>
+      `,
+      options: deepDataOptions
+    },
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <template>
+          <Foo :param="{ a: foo.bar }"></Foo>
+        </template>
+
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            data() {
+              return {
+                foo: {
+                  bar: {
+                    a: 1
+                  },
+                  baz: {
+                    b: 1
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            methods: {
+              fn () {
+                return {
+                  b: this.foo.baz
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          };
+        </script>
+      `,
+      options: deepDataOptions
+    },
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <template>
+          <Foo :class="[ foo.bar ]"></Foo>
+        </template>
+
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            data() {
+              return {
+                foo: {
+                  bar: {
+                    a: 1
+                  },
+                  baz: {
+                    b: 1
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            methods: {
+              fn () {
+                return [this.foo.baz]
+              }
+            }
+          };
+        </script>
+      `,
+      options: deepDataOptions
+    },
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <template>
+          <Foo :param="[ {a: foo.bar} ]"></Foo>
+        </template>
+
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            data() {
+              return {
+                foo: {
+                  bar: {
+                    a: 1
+                  },
+                  baz: {
+                    b: 1
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            methods: {
+              fn () {
+                return {
+                  b: [this.foo.baz]
+                }
+              }
+            }
+          };
+        </script>
+      `,
+      options: deepDataOptions
+    },
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            data() {
+              return {
+                foo: {
+                  bar: {
+                    a: 1
+                  },
+                  baz: {
+                    b: 1
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            methods: {
+              fn () {
+                unknown(this.foo.bar)
+                f( () => this.foo.baz )
+              }
+            }
+          };
+
+          function f (a) {
+
+          }
+        </script>
+      `,
+      options: deepDataOptions
     }
   ],
 
@@ -1686,6 +1954,229 @@ tester.run('no-unused-properties', rule, {
       </script>
       `,
       errors: ["'x' of property found, but never used."]
+    },
+
+    // deep data
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <template>
+         {{ foo.baz.a }}
+        </template>
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            data() {
+              return {
+                foo: {
+                  bar: {
+                    a: 1
+                  },
+                  baz: {
+                    b: 1
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            methods: {
+              a () {
+                return this.foo.bar
+              }
+            }
+          };
+        </script>
+      `,
+      options: deepDataOptions,
+      errors: [
+        {
+          message: "'foo.baz.b' of data found, but never used.",
+          line: 14,
+          column: 21
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            data() {
+              return {
+                foo: {
+                  bar: {
+                    a: 1
+                  },
+                  baz: {
+                    b: 1
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            created() {
+              fn(this.foo)
+            }
+          };
+          function fn(b) {
+            b.baz()
+          }
+        </script>
+      `,
+      options: deepDataOptions,
+      errors: [
+        "'foo.bar' of data found, but never used.",
+        "'foo.baz.b' of data found, but never used."
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            data() {
+              return {
+                foo: {
+                  bar: {
+                    a: 1
+                  },
+                  baz: {
+                    b: 1
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            created() {
+              fn(this.foo)
+            }
+          };
+          function fn(foo) {
+            return foo.bar + foo.baz.b
+          }
+        </script>
+      `,
+      options: deepDataOptions,
+      errors: ["'foo.bar.a' of data found, but never used."]
+    },
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            data() {
+              return {
+                foo: {
+                  bar: {
+                    a: 1
+                  },
+                  baz: {
+                    b: 1
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            created() {
+              fn(this.foo)
+              this.foo.baz
+            }
+          };
+          function fn(foo) {
+            foo.bar
+          }
+        </script>
+      `,
+      options: deepDataOptions,
+      errors: [
+        "'foo.bar.a' of data found, but never used.",
+        "'foo.baz.b' of data found, but never used."
+      ]
+    },
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            data() {
+              return {
+                foo: {
+                  bar: {
+                    a: 1
+                  },
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            mounted () {
+              if (this.foo.bar) {
+              }
+            }
+          };
+        </script>
+      `,
+      options: deepDataOptions,
+      errors: ["'foo.bar.a' of data found, but never used."]
+    },
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            data() {
+              return {
+                foo: {
+                  bar: {
+                    a: 1
+                  },
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            methods: {
+              fn () {
+                return this.foo.bar ? 1 : 2
+              }
+            }
+          };
+        </script>
+      `,
+      options: deepDataOptions,
+      errors: ["'foo.bar.a' of data found, but never used."]
+    },
+    {
+      filename: 'test.vue',
+      code: `
+        <script>
+          export default {
+            data() {
+              const bar = {
+                a: 1
+              }
+              const baz = {
+                a: 1
+              }
+              return {
+                foo: {
+                  bar,
+                  baz,
+                }
+              }
+            },
+            methods: {
+              fn () {
+                console.log(this.foo.bar + this.foo.baz)
+              }
+            }
+          };
+        </script>
+      `,
+      options: deepDataOptions,
+      errors: [
+        {
+          message: "'foo.bar.a' of data found, but never used.",
+          line: 6,
+          column: 17
+        },
+        {
+          message: "'foo.baz.a' of data found, but never used.",
+          line: 9,
+          column: 17
+        }
+      ]
     }
   ]
 })