What Is the Lowest Safety Rating Car?

There isn’t a single “lowest safety rating car” worldwide; the minimum score used by most consumer crash-test programs is zero stars, and several models have earned that in recent years—such as the Renault Zoe (Euro NCAP, 2021), Suzuki Swift in certain Latin American and African specifications (Latin NCAP 2021; Global NCAP Africa 2022), and the Hyundai Grand i10 in specific Latin American/African versions (Latin NCAP 2021; Safer Cars for Africa 2020). Which car is “lowest” depends on the region, the year tested, and the exact configuration.

How Safety Ratings Work—and Why “Lowest” Depends on Where You Live

Car safety ratings are issued by regional programs that test crashworthiness and active safety. They score vehicles against their own protocols, which change over time. Crucially, results apply to the specific market and configuration tested—airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), and structural updates can radically change a score. That’s why one model can be a zero-star car in one region or trim, and a multi-star car elsewhere.

The Minimum Safety Rating by Major Programs

The organizations below run the most-referenced consumer crash tests. Their scales and “lowest possible” ratings differ.

• Euro NCAP (Europe): Star rating from 0 to 5. The lowest is 0 stars. Notable example: Renault Zoe received 0 stars in 2021.
• Global NCAP initiatives (India, Africa; legacy program for India through 2022): Star rating from 0 to 5. The lowest is 0 stars. Several entry-level models in base trims have scored 0, especially when lacking airbags/ESC.
• Latin NCAP (Latin America/Caribbean): Star rating from 0 to 5. The lowest is 0 stars. Some popular small cars have scored 0 in recent protocols when basic safety equipment was absent.
• NHTSA (U.S. New Car Assessment Program): Star rating from 1 to 5. The lowest published rating is 1 star; there is no 0-star outcome.
• IIHS (U.S.): Uses qualitative ratings (Good, Acceptable, Marginal, Poor) across multiple tests rather than a single star score. The “lowest” is Poor in each test.

Because these programs use different scales and evolving protocols, “lowest safety rating” should always be interpreted within the context of the specific program, model year, and region.

Recent Cars That Have Scored the Minimum Rating in Their Markets

These examples illustrate how mainstream models can receive the lowest rating when tested in certain regions or configurations. Always check the exact model year and spec for your country.

• Renault Zoe (Europe): 0 stars, Euro NCAP 2021. Reasons included removal of certain airbag equipment and limited active safety versus newer protocols.
• Suzuki Swift (Latin America/Africa): 0 stars, Latin NCAP 2021; also 0 stars in Safer Cars for Africa testing (Global NCAP, 2022) for specific basic trims lacking key safety features.
• Hyundai Grand i10 / Grand i10 Sedan (Latin America/Africa): 0 stars, Latin NCAP 2021; similar poor results reported in Safer Cars for Africa (2020) for lower-spec versions.
• Fiat Panda (Europe): 0 stars, Euro NCAP 2018. The long-running city car was tested against modern protocols and fell short on occupant protection and driver-assistance fitment.
• Maruti Suzuki S-Presso (Africa): 0 stars, Safer Cars for Africa (Global NCAP) 2020 for an early basic configuration sold in that region; later updates in some markets added safety equipment.
• Renault Kwid (India/global variants): 0 stars in early Global NCAP tests (2016) for the basic version; subsequent updates improved ratings in some specifications/markets.
• Nissan NP300 Hardbody (Africa): 0 stars, Safer Cars for Africa (Global NCAP) 2018, highlighting severe structural and restraint shortcomings.
• Datsun GO (India): 0 stars, Global NCAP 2014; the model was later discontinued.

Availability and specifications change over time, and many manufacturers have since added airbags, ESC, or structural improvements—or discontinued the lowest-rated variants. Always verify the latest test data for the exact car you’re considering.

If You’re Shopping Now: How to Avoid the Lowest-Rated Cars

Use these steps to identify safer choices and steer clear of configurations that have scored the minimum rating in your market.

1. Check the right program for your region (Euro NCAP, Latin NCAP, Global NCAP/Africa, NHTSA, IIHS, or Bharat NCAP in India).
2. Match the rating to the exact model year, body style, and trim level; safety can differ widely between variants.
3. Prioritize essentials: at least six airbags, ESC/ESP, and ISOFIX/LATCH anchors for child seats.
4. Look for active safety: autonomous emergency braking, lane support, and good pedestrian/cyclist protection scores under modern protocols.
5. Cross-check multiple sources—manufacturer specs, official test reports, and independent reviews—to confirm equipment in your market.
6. Be cautious with fleet-only or legacy models that remain on sale without modern safety updates.
7. Verify whether a facelift was actually retested; styling updates don’t guarantee improved crash performance.

Following these steps will help you avoid low-performing variants and focus on models that demonstrate strong, independently verified protection.

Why Some Cars Score Zero

Zero-star outcomes typically occur when a tested configuration combines limited crash protection with missing modern driver-assistance features.

• Insufficient airbags or no side/head protection in base trims.
• Weak or unstable body structures that compromise survival space in crashes.
• Lack of ESC, which reduces a vehicle’s ability to avoid a crash.
• Poor side-impact or whiplash performance.
• Limited compatibility with child restraints and inadequate child-occupant protection.
• Absent or rudimentary active-safety systems under newer, stricter protocols.

As rating protocols raise the bar, vehicles without up-to-date safety hardware and structural integrity are more likely to hit the minimum score.

Bottom Line

There is no single “lowest safety rating car” globally. The minimum rating in many programs is zero stars, and several models—especially in basic trims and cost-sensitive markets—have received that score in recent years. To know what’s “lowest” for you, check the latest results for your region and the exact configuration you plan to buy.

Summary

The “lowest safety rating” depends on the testing program and region. The lowest possible score in Euro NCAP, Latin NCAP, and Global NCAP is 0 stars, and cars like the Renault Zoe (Europe, 2021) and certain market-specific versions of the Suzuki Swift and Hyundai Grand i10 have received that rating. The U.S. NHTSA’s lowest is 1 star, while IIHS labels the poorest result as “Poor.” Always verify the latest, market-specific test for the precise model and trim before purchasing.

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.

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).

Which car has the lowest crash rate?

Safest Car Models with the Fewest Highway Accidents

Rank	Car Model	Accident Rate (per 100,000 vehicles)
1	Volvo XC90	2.0
2	Tesla Model 3	2.1
3	Audi Q7	2.3
4	Subaru Outback	2.4

Which car is the least safe?

The least safe vehicles often include small, high-powered sports cars and minicars that have high fatal crash rates due to factors beyond vehicle design, such as driver behavior. Vehicles with poor performance in real-world conditions, or those that have undergone safety design changes by the manufacturer like the Renault Zoe, are also considered unsafe. Recent data from iSeeCars.com indicates that small cars, like the Hyundai Venue, Mitsubishi Mirage, and high-powered sports cars, such as the Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911, are among the deadliest. 
Key Factors Contributing to Vehicle Unsafety

• Vehicle Type: Small cars, minicars, and performance-oriented vehicles are often overrepresented in fatal crash statistics, not always due to design flaws but due to a combination of factors. 
• Driver Behavior: Studies suggest that high fatal crash rates can be influenced more by driver behavior and conditions than the inherent design of the vehicle. 
• Vehicle Design Changes: A vehicle’s safety rating can decrease if a manufacturer removes safety features to reduce costs, as seen with the Renault Zoe, which had its head protection airbag removed. 

Specific Examples of Unsafe Vehicles (Based on Fatal Crash Rates)

• Hyundai Venue: Opens in new tabThis subcompact crossover SUV has been identified as having a fatal crash rate significantly higher than the average vehicle. 
• Mitsubishi Mirage (and Mirage G4): Opens in new tabBoth the hatchback and sedan versions of the Mirage consistently appear on lists of the deadliest vehicles. 
• Performance Cars: Opens in new tabVehicles like the Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911 have high fatal accident rates, often linked to the power and speed of the car. 
• Renault Zoe: Opens in new tabThis budget electric car received a zero-star safety rating in a crash test due to the manufacturer removing essential safety equipment. 

How to Check for Vehicle Safety

• iSeeCars.com: This website conducts studies on vehicles with high fatal accident rates. 
• IIHS-HLDI: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) publishes data on driver death rates per million registered vehicle years, highlighting vehicles with high fatality rates. 
• Consumer Reports: This organization provides safety ratings and information based on rigorous testing.