What is the lowest safety rated car?

There isn’t one single “lowest safety rated car” worldwide; the bottom tier across major consumer crash-test programs is a zero‑star rating. In recent years, cars such as the Renault Zoe (Euro NCAP, 2021), Fiat Panda (Euro NCAP, 2018), Suzuki Baleno for Latin America (Latin NCAP, 2021), and the Nissan NP300 “Hardbody” for Africa (Global NCAP, 2018) have received zero stars in the specifications tested. Availability, equipment, and ratings vary by market and model year, and some models were later updated or discontinued.

Why there isn’t a single global “lowest” car

Vehicle safety ratings are conducted by different organizations using distinct protocols, equipment assumptions, and model specifications that can change from one country to another. A model that performs poorly in one region can be sold with different structure or safety equipment elsewhere and earn a very different result. Protocols also tighten over time, so a rating from, say, 2017 isn’t directly comparable to one from 2024.

How vehicle safety ratings work

Multiple independent programs test crash protection and crash avoidance. While their aims overlap, their scales and methodologies differ. Here are the most influential programs and how they present results.

• NHTSA (U.S.): 5‑star scale for crashworthiness and rollover; 1 star is the lowest overall rating reported.
• IIHS (U.S.): Qualitative ratings (Good to Poor) for crash tests and crash avoidance; awards (Top Safety Pick). No star system.
• Euro NCAP (Europe): 5‑star scale covering adult/child occupant protection, vulnerable road users, and safety assist; 0 stars is possible.
• Latin NCAP (Latin America): 5‑star scale; tests regional specs that can differ significantly from European or U.S. models.
• Global NCAP initiatives (e.g., Safer Cars for India/Africa): 5‑star scale; historically revealed several zero‑star results in entry‑level models.
• ANCAP (Australia/NZ) and ASEAN NCAP: 5‑star scales aligned broadly with Euro NCAP, tailored to local fleets and priorities.

Because each program weighs tests and technology differently, the “lowest” possible score—and how often it occurs—varies by region and test year.

Recent examples of lowest-rated (zero-star) vehicles

Zero-star ratings indicate very limited crash protection and/or minimal active safety on the tested version. Below are notable cases from the past decade that illustrate the bottom of the scale in their respective programs.

• Renault Zoe (Europe, Euro NCAP, 2021): 0 stars. The facelifted Zoe lost key airbags and scored poorly in crash tests and active safety under updated protocols.
• Fiat Panda (Europe, Euro NCAP, 2018): 0 stars. Lacked modern safety assist and performed weakly in occupant protection; the rating still applies to the tested generation.
• Fiat Punto (Europe, Euro NCAP, 2017): 0 stars. One of the first modern zero‑star Euro NCAP results; the model was soon discontinued in Europe.
• Suzuki Baleno (Latin America, Latin NCAP, 2021): 0 stars. Regional spec with limited airbags and active safety; Latin NCAP stressed major differences from versions sold in other markets.
• Renault Duster (Latin America, Latin NCAP, 2022): 0 stars for a configuration with two airbags and without ESC; performance and equipment varied by market and year.
• Nissan NP300 “Hardbody” (Africa, Global NCAP Safer Cars for Africa, 2018): 0 stars, citing structural concerns and high injury risk in frontal impact.
• Datsun GO (India, Global NCAP Safer Cars for India, 2014): 0 stars in early testing; Global NCAP called for significant safety improvements, and the market has since moved to stricter norms.
• Maruti Suzuki S‑Presso (India, Global NCAP, 2020): 0 stars for the early India‑spec base version; later updates added safety equipment and improved results in subsequent tests.

These examples underscore that zero‑star outcomes often involve entry‑level trims with minimal airbags and little or no electronic stability control, and results can improve substantially after mid‑cycle updates or under newer, stricter local rules.

In the U.S., what counts as “lowest”?

In the United States, the lowest overall NHTSA rating is 1 star, while IIHS labels the poorest performance as “Poor” rather than using stars. As of 2025, it’s uncommon for new, mainstream U.S.-market vehicles to earn 1‑star overall in NHTSA testing; most achieve 4 or 5 stars and a mix of Good/Average on IIHS tests. Always check by exact model year and trim, because equipment like airbags, automatic emergency braking, and headlights can vary and affect scores.

How to check the current safety rating for a specific car

Because ratings depend on exact model, year, and market specification, it’s best to verify the latest official results before buying.

1. Identify your region, model year, body style, and trim (including airbags and active-safety packages).
2. Search the relevant program: NHTSA, IIHS, Euro NCAP, Latin NCAP, Global NCAP, ANCAP, or ASEAN NCAP.
3. Confirm the test year and protocol version; newer protocols are tougher and not directly comparable to older ones.
4. Check both crash protection (adult/child occupant) and crash avoidance (AEB, lane support, ESC) sections for a complete picture.
5. Compare against direct rivals tested in the same program and year to understand relative performance.

Taking these steps will give you the most accurate view of how a specific vehicle—configured the way you’ll buy it—stacks up on safety where you live.

Summary

There is no universal “lowest safety rated car,” but zero‑star results represent the bottom in programs that use star scales. Notable zero‑star cases in recent years include the Renault Zoe and Fiat Panda in Europe, the Suzuki Baleno and Renault Duster in Latin America, and the Nissan NP300 Hardbody and Datsun GO in Africa/India under Global NCAP initiatives. Ratings are highly dependent on market, model year, trim, and evolving test protocols; always check the latest official results for your exact vehicle.

What is the lowest safety rating car?

Contents

• Lowest-Rated Subcompact: Mitsubishi Mirage.
• Lowest rated compact car: Fiat 500L.
• Lowest-Rated Midsized Sedan: Chrysler 200.
• Lowest-Rated Compact Luxury Car: Mercedes-Benz CLA 250.
• Lowest-Rated Midsized Luxury Car: Lincoln MKS.
• Lowest-Rated Family SUV: Dodge Journey.

What is the crappiest car ever?

Contents

• 4.1 VAZ-2101/Lada Riva/Zhiguli (1970–2013)
• 4.2 AMC Gremlin (1970–78)
• 4.3 Chevrolet Vega (1971–77)
• 4.4 Ford Pinto (1971–80)
• 4.5 Morris Marina (1971–80)
• 4.6 Vauxhall HC Viva “Firenza” (Canada) (1971–73)
• 4.7 Lancia Beta (1972–84)
• 4.8 Reliant Robin/Rialto (1973–2002)

What is the #1 safest car?

There is no single #1 safest car, but numerous vehicles earned the 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, including models from Honda, Mazda, Toyota, and Hyundai, signifying exceptional safety performance in crash testing. The IIHS Top Safety Pick+ is the highest rating, given to vehicles with good or acceptable scores in all crash evaluations and advanced or superior front crash prevention systems. You can find award-winning vehicles across various categories, from compact cars to large SUVs, according to MotorTrend and U.S. News & World Report.
 
How to find the safest car for you

1. Understand the awards: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the highest safety rating, the Top Safety Pick+, to vehicles that perform well in its rigorous crash tests and have good front crash prevention systems. 
2. Look for models that earned the Top Safety Pick+: Many manufacturers’ models receive this award, but it’s always best to check the specific year you are interested in, as criteria can change. 
3. Consider your vehicle class: Larger, heavier vehicles generally offer more protection, so consider a vehicle that suits your needs, whether it’s a compact car, sedan, SUV, or truck. 
4. Check a trusted source: Look for lists of safest cars from publications like U.S. News & World Report or MotorTrend. 

Examples of 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award Winners 

• Honda: Civic (sedan and hatchback), Accord, CR-V
• Hyundai: Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe, Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Genesis models
• Mazda: CX-30, CX-50, CX-70, CX-90
• Toyota: Camry, Crown

Which car has a 0 safety rating?

The Renault Kwid, Maruti Suzuki Celerio, Maruti Suzuki Eeco, Mahindra Scorpio and Hyundai Eon all showed low levels of adult occupant protection. The Renault Kwid was tested in three versions, including one with airbags, but each was rated as zero star for adult safety (see Editors Note).