Which car is the most unsafe?

There isn’t a single “most unsafe” car across all roads and years. Safety varies by model year, market, equipment, and who’s driving. That said, recent U.S. insurance fatality data has consistently placed very small, budget-oriented cars—most notably the Mitsubishi Mirage variants—at the top of driver death-rate rankings, while several low-cost models in emerging markets have scored very poorly in independent crash tests. The safest answer is to evaluate the specific model, year, and region using current ratings from IIHS/NHTSA (U.S.) or NCAP programs where you live.

Why a single “most unsafe” car doesn’t really exist

“Unsafe” can mean poor crashworthiness, weak crash-avoidance tech, or high real-world death rates. Those outcomes are influenced by factors that vary widely: vehicle size and weight, equipment fitted in different countries, the driver population a model attracts, typical road conditions, and the exact model year. A car that performed badly in a 2019 test may have been updated since; the same nameplate sold in two regions can have very different structures and safety features.

What the latest evidence shows

U.S. real-world fatality data

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and its data arm (HLDI) periodically publish “driver death rates” by model, a measure that reflects actual fatalities per registered vehicle years. In the most recent cycles available, the highest-risk group has been minicars and small, low-priced sedans/hatchbacks, with the Mitsubishi Mirage (hatchback and G4 sedan) repeatedly topping the list. Other small, entry-level models have often clustered near the top as well.

The following examples have frequently appeared among the worst performers for driver death rates in recent IIHS/HLDI studies of late-2010s to early-2020s model years in the U.S. (availability and rankings vary by study cycle):

• Mitsubishi Mirage (hatchback and G4 sedan)
• Chevrolet Spark
• Kia Rio
• Nissan Versa
• Hyundai Accent
• Some high-power muscle cars (e.g., certain Dodge Challenger/Charger variants), driven in riskier conditions

These rankings capture risk in the real world, not just lab tests. They reflect vehicle size and protection limits, but also who buys them, where and how they’re driven, and exposure on higher-risk roads. They can shift as designs are updated and as newer data accumulate.

Crash-test underperformers in newer protocols (outside the U.S.)

Independent consumer programs—Latin NCAP, Global NCAP (for India/Africa in recent years), and others—have highlighted structural weaknesses and missing safety tech in some low-cost models built for emerging markets. Several earned zero stars under tougher, modernized protocols earlier this decade, though many were later upgraded or discontinued.

Examples that drew attention for very low ratings in specific markets and years (often before mid-cycle safety updates) include:

• Renault Kwid (early Latin American/Indian-market versions)
• Maruti Suzuki S-Presso (pre-update Indian-market version)
• Datsun GO (early Indian-market tests)
• Nissan NP300 Hardbody (Africa-market test)
• Older generations of certain budget hatchbacks and city cars sold without ESC and with minimal airbags

NCAP results are highly model-year- and market-specific: the same nameplate can later achieve improved scores after structural reinforcements or added airbags/ESC. Always verify the exact variant sold in your country and the test protocol year.

What makes a car less safe

Several recurring factors show up in cars that fare poorly in either crash tests or real-world outcomes. Understanding these helps you evaluate risk even before you look up formal ratings.

• Very small size and low mass, which put occupants at a disadvantage in multi-vehicle crashes
• Weak structural integrity in the passenger compartment during frontal or side impacts
• Missing or minimal airbags; lack of head-protecting side airbags
• No electronic stability control (ESC) or outdated braking systems
• Absent or basic crash-avoidance tech (automatic emergency braking, lane support)
• Older design sold new in lower-regulation markets without safety updates
• High-performance variants that correlate with riskier driving behavior

While any one factor can raise risk, it’s the combination—small size, sparse protection, and little crash-avoidance tech—that most consistently predicts poor outcomes.

How to check safety for your exact car

If you’re shopping or assessing risk, verify the safety story for the specific year and trim you’ll drive, not just the nameplate.

• Look up crash tests where you live: IIHS and NHTSA (U.S.), Euro NCAP (Europe), ANCAP (Australia/NZ), Latin NCAP, Bharat NCAP (India), or Global NCAP’s regional programs
• Confirm the model year, build date, and market equipment; safety features can change mid-cycle
• Prioritize models with strong scores in updated side-impact and pedestrian/AEB tests
• Check for standard ESC, multiple airbags (including curtain airbags), and effective AEB with pedestrian detection
• Review recall history and ensure any safety recalls were completed
• For used cars, verify crash repairs and airbag deployments via VIN history and professional inspection

Spending a few minutes with the right databases can reveal big differences in safety between seemingly similar trims or years.

Bottom line

No one car is universally the “most unsafe,” but patterns are clear: the smallest, least-equipped budget cars tend to have the worst driver death rates in U.S. data, and some low-cost models sold in emerging markets have scored poorly in modern crash tests. If you’re choosing a vehicle, rely on current, region-specific crash ratings and confirm the exact equipment on the car you’ll drive.

Summary

There’s no definitive single “most unsafe” car. Recent U.S. fatality analyses often place minicars like the Mitsubishi Mirage at the top of driver death-rate lists, and various low-cost models have earned very low NCAP scores in certain markets and years. Safety depends on the exact model, year, market, and features. Check authoritative ratings (IIHS, NHTSA, NCAP programs) for your region and verify that your specific vehicle has strong crashworthiness and modern crash-avoidance technology.

What is the unsafest car brand?

Most Deadly Car Models in America (2022)

	Car Make/Model	Number of Fatal Crashes (2022)
1	Ford F-Series	10,854
2	Chevrolet Silverado	7,718
3	Dodge Ram pickup	5,897
4	Honda Accord	5,079

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 flips over the most?

SUVs, trucks, and vans have the highest rollover risk due to their higher center of gravity compared to smaller cars. Vehicles like the Ford Explorer are more prone to rollovers than low-profile cars like the Mazda Miata MX-5 convertible.

What is the most stolen car in America?

The most stolen vehicle in America for recent model years (2022-2024) is the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which is 39 times more likely to be stolen than the average vehicle, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). The ZL1’s vulnerability to theft is linked to its high horsepower, but a specific onboard data port is also a point of entry for thieves. The standard Chevrolet Camaro also ranks highly, and other high-horsepower muscle cars and trucks often appear on lists of most-stolen vehicles.
 
Why the Camaro ZL1 is targeted

• High horsepower: Opens in new tabThieves are attracted to powerful muscle cars like the ZL1 for their performance. 
• Onboard data ports: Opens in new tabThese ports, which contain vehicle data, can also serve as a weakness for thieves to access and control the vehicle. 

Other highly stolen vehicles

• Other muscle cars: Expensive, high-horsepower muscle cars are a common target. 
• Trucks: High-power pickup trucks also frequently appear on lists of most-stolen vehicles. 
• Kia/Hyundai vehicles: While not the most stolen overall in the latest report, older Kia and Hyundai models were highly targeted due to a software design flaw making them easy to steal, leading to a viral trend of their theft.