Which car has the worst crash rate?

No single model is officially “worst” across all safety metrics, but the most widely cited 2024 finding is that the Subaru Crosstrek has the highest at‑fault accident involvement rate among common models in Insurify’s nationwide analysis. By other measures, the Mitsubishi Mirage family posts the highest driver death rates in recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) data, while small sporty coupes such as the Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 consistently show among the highest collision-claim frequencies in Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) insurance records. The answer depends on which crash metric you use.

Why there isn’t a single “worst” crash-rate car

“Crash rate” can mean different things depending on the dataset and methodology. Some rankings look at how often a model’s drivers report at‑fault accidents, others track how frequently insurance claims are filed for crash damage, and some focus on the most severe outcome: driver death rates. Each metric highlights a different aspect of risk and driver behavior.

What the latest data shows

At‑fault accident involvement

Among consumer-facing rankings, Insurify’s 2024 report—based on millions of insurance applications and self‑reported at‑fault accidents—identifies the Subaru Crosstrek as the model with the highest share of drivers who have an at‑fault crash on record. This measure tends to reflect both driver demographics and usage patterns (for example, younger or urban drivers, or vehicles commonly used in dense traffic).

Insurance collision-claim frequency

HLDI’s insurance data, which aggregates real-world claim filings, often places small, sporty models toward the top for collision-claim frequency. Vehicles like the Subaru BRZ and its near twin, the Toyota 86 (and earlier Scion FR‑S), frequently appear among models with the highest rates of collision claims, indicating more frequent crash-related damage per insured vehicle year.

Driver death rates

For severity, IIHS analyses of driver death rates per registered vehicle years (the most recent sets covering modern model years) typically show very small, light vehicles among the worst. The Mitsubishi Mirage and Mirage G4, along with other subcompacts such as the Kia Rio and similar entries, have recorded the highest driver death rates in recent cycles. This reflects physics: in serious crashes, lighter vehicles offer less crash energy management than larger, heavier ones, even when equipped with modern safety features.

How “worst” can change with the metric

Different crash metrics emphasize different risk dimensions. Understanding these dimensions helps explain why rankings can shift from one list to the next.

• At‑fault accident rate: Captures driver behavior exposure—who buys the car and how/where it’s driven—based on self‑reported incidents.
• Collision-claim frequency: Reflects how often insured owners file damage claims, capturing day-to-day crash involvement regardless of fault.
• Driver death rate: Focuses on the most severe outcome, weighted by exposure and crash survivability, not just how often a crash happens.

Taken together, these metrics reveal that a model can rank “worst” in one category (frequency) without being worst in another (severity), and vice versa. The context—driver mix, vehicle size and weight, and usage—matters.

Key factors behind high crash rates

Several recurring themes show up in crash and claims data. These help explain why certain models appear more often at the top of “worst” lists.

• Vehicle type and size: Small, light cars typically fare worse in severe crashes due to physics, affecting death-rate rankings.
• Driver demographics: Models popular with younger or enthusiast drivers can show higher at‑fault and collision claim frequencies.
• Usage patterns: Urban commuting, higher annual mileage, or performance driving can raise exposure to crash-prone environments.
• Repair costs: Some vehicles rack up more claims because even minor crashes are expensive to fix (advanced sensors, specialty parts).

While vehicle engineering is crucial, who drives the car and where it’s driven often explains much of the difference between frequency- and severity-based rankings.

Bottom line

If you’re looking for the single car with the “worst crash rate,” the most defensible 2024 shorthand is: Subaru Crosstrek for highest at‑fault accident involvement (Insurify); Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 among the highest collision-claim frequencies (HLDI); and Mitsubishi Mirage among the highest driver death rates (IIHS). Each label reflects a different lens on risk, so the “worst” depends on what you’re measuring.

Summary

There is no universal, one-metric answer to which car has the worst crash rate. In 2024 reporting, the Subaru Crosstrek tops at‑fault accident involvement, the Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 lead collision-claim frequencies, and the Mitsubishi Mirage records the highest driver death rates. Differences arise from what’s being measured—driver behavior and exposure, claim frequency, or crash survivability—so “worst” varies by metric and context.

What car brand has the lowest safety rating?

There is no definitive “worst” brand, but based on fatal accident rates, Tesla, Kia, Buick, Dodge, and Hyundai had high rates, while studies have also pointed to models from Mitsubishi and Jeep as having safety concerns and poor crash test results. However, driver behavior can also significantly impact a vehicle’s fatality rate. 
Factors to Consider

• Driver Behavior: A driver’s habits can heavily influence accident outcomes, so a high fatal accident rate for a brand might reflect driver behavior more than the car’s design. 
• Vehicle Type: Smaller cars, like the Mitsubishi Mirage, can have higher fatality rates due to less protective crumple zones and overall less mass in a collision, notes SpeedwayMedia.com. 
• Specific Models: Within a brand, certain models may have poor safety ratings while others perform well. For example, some Jeep models and the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport have been cited for safety issues. 

How to Find a Car’s Actual Safety Rating

• iSeeCars.com: This site provides data on fatal accident rates per brand, offering insights into which brands have a higher risk of fatal accidents. 
• Kelley Blue Book (KBB): KBB publishes studies on the deadliest and least deadly cars, providing data based on driver deaths per million registered vehicle years. 
• Consumer Reports: This organization rigorously tests cars and provides safety ratings based on crash tests and other safety features. 
• NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration): The NHTSA performs safety evaluations and provides scores, which are critical for consumers to review. 
• IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety): The IIHS also conducts crash tests and rates vehicles, helping consumers understand how well a car protects occupants. 
• Euro NCAP: For vehicles sold in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, organizations like Euro NCAP provide detailed safety ratings and crash test results. 

Why Driver Behavior Matters
The relationship between a vehicle’s brand and its safety rating is complex, as driver behavior—such as speed and adherence to traffic laws—plays a significant role. A car with a poor safety rating might indicate poorer driver habits, rather than an inherently unsafe vehicle.

What car has the highest accident rate?

Tesla has the highest fatal accident rate of any car brand, while small, lightweight vehicles like the Ford Fiesta and Kia Rio have higher fatal crash rates for older models due to their lack of advanced safety features and lower crashworthiness. Studies suggest that driver behavior is a major factor in accident rates, with Tesla’s high rate potentially reflecting driver behavior rather than vehicle design alone.
 
Brands with High Fatal Accident Rates

• Tesla: Opens in new tabA 2025 study by Forbes found that Tesla has the highest fatal accident rate of all auto brands, a finding supported by several other reports. 
• Kia, Buick, Dodge, Hyundai: Opens in new tabThese brands also appear on lists of cars with high fatal accident rates, according to various studies. 

Specific Models with Higher Risk

• Small, budget-friendly cars: Opens in new tabOlder model small cars like the Ford Fiesta, Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, and Nissan Versa have been identified with higher-than-average driver death rates, likely due to their lack of safety features and less robust protective structures. 
• Performance and smaller SUVs: Opens in new tabSome studies highlight vehicles like the Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 911, and the Tesla Model Y as having high fatal accident rates, possibly due to their performance-oriented nature or smaller SUV size. 

Factors Contributing to High Accident Rates

• Driver behavior: Opens in new tabFactors such as distracted driving, speeding, and driving under the influence play a significant role in accident avoidance, and a focused, alert driver is key to safety, regardless of the vehicle. 
• Vehicle size and design: Opens in new tabWhile modern safety features are important, older small cars often lack them, making them more dangerous in a crash. The design of the vehicle also plays a role, with small cars having a higher risk and SUVs sometimes being prone to rollover accidents. 

What car brand has the lowest accident rate?

There is no single car brand with the absolute best crash rating, as top performers change by year and vehicle segment, but brands like Volvo, Subaru, Genesis, Toyota, and Honda consistently achieve high scores in crash tests from organizations like the IIHS-HLDI and NHTSA. To find the safest car for you, it’s important to check the safety ratings for specific models you are considering, as even within these brands, some models perform better than others. 
Top-Performing Brands

• Volvo: Opens in new tabKnown for consistently earning a high number of 5-star safety ratings and awards, with a significant portion of their models achieving these top scores. 
• Genesis: Opens in new tabHas a stellar record, with every model released often achieving top safety ratings, including the top “Top Safety Pick+” designation from the IIHS. 
• Subaru: Opens in new tabOften cited as a top performer, with many models consistently achieving high safety marks. 
• Toyota: Opens in new tabA brand that consistently delivers high-ranking models, particularly their models like the Corolla and Camry which are known for safety. 
• Honda: Opens in new tabAnother brand that frequently earns strong safety awards and ratings, with many models achieving top scores. 

How to Find the Safest Car

• Check specific models: Safety ratings are given to individual vehicles, not entire brands. Look up the specific models you are interested in on the IIHS website and NHTSA website to see their crash-test results. 
• Look for the IIHS “Top Safety Pick” award: This award signifies excellent crash protection and strong front-crash prevention. 
• Use the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings: This system provides a straightforward rating, with 5 stars being the highest. 
• Consider the vehicle’s safety features: Look for advanced safety systems like autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. 

What is the most unsafe car?

The most unsafe car can vary by study and metrics, but recent analyses show the Hyundai Venue, Chevrolet Corvette, and Mitsubishi Mirage frequently appear on lists of cars with the highest fatal accident rates. These studies often cite data on fatal crashes per billion vehicle miles traveled, with factors like vehicle size, power, and driver behavior influencing risk. 
Commonly Listed “Unsafe” Cars

• Hyundai Venue: This small SUV has been identified as having the highest fatal accident rate by some analyses. 
• Chevrolet Corvette: A powerful sports car that often ranks high on “most dangerous” lists due to its high performance and the driving behavior it may encourage. 
• Mitsubishi Mirage: This small, economical car has also shown a high fatal accident rate. 

Factors Contributing to a Car’s Risk

• Vehicle Type and Size: Small cars and performance-oriented cars like the Corvette tend to appear on these lists, along with some larger SUVs that can be more prone to rollovers. 
• Driver Behavior: Factors like driver behavior and driving conditions are often more significant than the vehicle’s design or safety features. 
• Study Metrics: Data is often based on fatal accidents per billion vehicle miles traveled (bvm), a measure that can highlight certain types of vehicles and driving situations. 

What to Consider

• Safety Ratings vs. Fatal Accident Rates: Opens in new tabSome cars on these lists might have excellent crash test ratings from organizations like the IIHS and NHTSA, indicating good structural integrity in a crash but not necessarily a low risk of being involved in one. 
• Recalls and Safety Concerns: Opens in new tabVehicles like the Hyundai Kona Electric have faced safety concerns, including battery fire recalls, that can impact a car’s overall safety.