Which car flips over the most?

There isn’t a single “car that flips over the most” across all situations and years. In U.S. safety data, vehicles with the highest rollover risk are typically tall, narrow, body-on-frame SUVs and pickups—most notably the Jeep Wrangler, which has repeatedly earned lower rollover-resistance scores and has tipped onto its side in an IIHS crash test—while low-slung passenger cars are least likely to roll. Actual rollover likelihood depends heavily on how and where the vehicle is driven, load, tires, and speed.

What “flips over the most” really means

Rollover risk can be judged in several ways: lab-based ratings that estimate the chance a vehicle will roll in certain maneuvers, real-world crash data showing the share of deaths involving rollovers by vehicle type, and crash-test observations of tip-up behavior. No single dataset ranks every model by real-world rollovers, and exposure (how, where, and how much a vehicle is driven) strongly influences outcomes. Still, safety agencies provide reliable signals about which designs are more rollover-prone.

What current safety data shows

Two U.S. sources provide the clearest picture: NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) rollover resistance ratings and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) crash and fatality statistics. Here are the most relevant takeaways that help answer the question.

• Vehicle type matters most: SUVs and pickups have the highest rollover involvement, while conventional passenger cars have the lowest. The tall ride height and higher center of gravity increase the odds of tip-up during abrupt evasive moves or when a tire “trips” on a curb/soft shoulder.
• NHTSA’s rollover resistance ratings (the star score you see on window stickers and SaferCar.gov) consistently show lower scores for some trucks and body-on-frame SUVs than for sedans and many crossovers.
• IIHS data shows rollovers are a larger share of fatal crashes for SUVs and pickups than for cars. Electronic stability control (ESC), required on all light vehicles since 2012 in the U.S., has reduced—but not eliminated—rollover crashes.
• Loading and use patterns matter: vehicles driven off-road, with roof racks, towing, or fully loaded, face greater rollover risk than the same model driven lightly loaded on paved roads.

Taken together, the data indicate that design and use patterns make certain trucks and SUVs more susceptible to rolling over than cars, but driver behavior and conditions are decisive factors.

Models and categories frequently flagged for higher rollover risk

While there’s no official “most likely to flip” leaderboard, several models and categories have been repeatedly cited in public tests and ratings for elevated rollover propensity compared with typical sedans and many crossovers. The examples below reflect patterns seen in recent U.S. safety evaluations.

• Jeep Wrangler (2-door and 4-door): Among mainstream vehicles, the Wrangler often posts one of the lower NHTSA rollover star ratings for a modern passenger vehicle, and multiple IIHS small-overlap crash tests have documented the Wrangler tipping onto its side. Its off-road-focused, high-riding, narrow-track design contributes to this behavior.
• Body-on-frame, off-road-leaning SUVs (e.g., Toyota 4Runner and similar trucks): These vehicles prioritize ground clearance and ruggedness, traits that can raise rollover risk relative to unibody crossovers and sedans.
• Large traditional SUVs (e.g., Chevy Tahoe/Suburban, GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition), especially 2WD versions: Historically, some configurations have earned lower rollover-star ratings than smaller, lower vehicles, reflecting a higher estimated rollover probability in single-vehicle loss-of-control events.
• Pickups (midsize and full-size): Many pickups test worse for rollover resistance than cars due to height and weight distribution, with ratings varying by cab style, drivetrain (2WD vs. 4WD), and tires.
• 15-passenger vans (when fully loaded): Not “cars,” but worth noting; these vehicles show markedly increased rollover risk as passenger and roof loads rise.

These examples don’t mean such vehicles are unsafe overall; many score well in other crash modes. They do, however, illustrate that taller, narrower, and more off-road-oriented designs tend to carry more rollover risk in abrupt maneuvers or trips.

Why rollovers happen

Understanding the mechanics of a rollover helps clarify why certain vehicles and scenarios are riskier than others.

• High center of gravity (COG): The higher the mass sits above the pavement, the easier it is for lateral forces to tip the vehicle.
• Narrow track width and soft suspensions: A narrower stance and greater body roll increase the likelihood of lifting a wheel and crossing the tipping point.
• Tripping events: Most rollovers begin when a tire “trips” on a curb, guardrail, soft shoulder, or uneven ground during a slide or swerve.
• Speed and evasive maneuvers: High speed plus sudden steering inputs can overwhelm stability, especially on high-COG vehicles.
• Load and roof racks: Heavy cargo, passengers, and roof loads raise the COG and can quickly turn a borderline maneuver into a rollover.
• Tire condition and pressure: Underinflation, mismatched tires, or poor grip increase the chance of a slide and trip.
• Road surface and off-road use: Gravel, ruts, and slopes amplify the risk compared with smooth, dry pavement.

These factors interact, which is why the same model can be stable in normal driving yet vulnerable in a particular emergency or off-road situation.

How to reduce your rollover risk

Regardless of what you drive, these steps materially lower the odds of a rollover crash and improve survivability if one occurs.

• Prefer vehicles with strong rollover indicators: higher NHTSA rollover star ratings, robust IIHS roof-strength ratings (Good), and modern stability control.
• Mind your load: Keep heavy cargo low and centered; avoid or minimize roof loads; distribute weight evenly; respect GVWR and roof-load limits.
• Maintain tires: Use identical, quality tires with proper speed/load ratings; check pressures monthly and before trips; replace worn tires promptly.
• Moderate speed and inputs: Slow down, especially on ramps and gravel; avoid abrupt steering; leave space to brake smoothly.
• Stay on stable surfaces: Be cautious on soft shoulders, ruts, and steep side slopes; engage 4WD where appropriate off-road.
• Choose protective features: Side-curtain airbags with rollover sensors, seat-belt pretensioners, and strong roofs greatly improve outcomes.
• Driver training: Off-road and evasive-maneuver training can improve control in high-risk situations.

Adopting even a few of these practices can dramatically reduce rollover risk, especially in taller vehicles.

How to check a vehicle’s rollover rating before you buy

If rollover risk is a key concern, you can quickly compare models using publicly available ratings and test results.

• Look up NHTSA’s rollover resistance star rating for the exact model, year, drivetrain, and tire size; variants can differ.
• Review IIHS roof-strength tests (seek a “Good” rating) and small-overlap crash results for any tip-up behavior notes.
• Examine owner’s manual specs for roof-load limits and center-of-gravity cautions, especially for SUVs and vans.
• Consider ride height and track width: lower, wider, car-like crossovers often rate better than truck-based SUVs.

Combining these checks gives a more complete picture than relying on a single number or anecdote.

Bottom line

No official dataset crowns one model as “flipping the most,” but the pattern is clear: taller, truck-based SUVs and pickups have higher rollover risk than cars, with the Jeep Wrangler standing out among popular models for repeatedly low rollover resistance ratings and observed tip-ups in crash testing. Your real-world risk depends as much on loading, speed, and surfaces as on the badge—choose a vehicle with strong ratings, keep loads low, and drive smoothly.

Summary

SUVs and pickups—especially off-road-focused models like the Jeep Wrangler—are the most rollover-prone vehicle types, while conventional passenger cars are least prone. Ratings from NHTSA and observations from IIHS support this, but no single model “flips the most” in all contexts. To minimize risk, prioritize vehicles with high rollover and roof-strength ratings, avoid heavy roof loads, maintain tires, and drive conservatively on curves and unstable surfaces.

What car has the highest rollover rate?

Top Vehicles with the Highest Rollover Risk: What You Need to Know

• 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 rollovers in a car?

The most rollovers in a racing car is nine, by stock car driver Graeme O’Brien when he was bumped from behind at Calder Park in Melbourne, Australia on 14 Feb 1998.

What car is most likely to flip over?

Additional sport utility vehicles rated most likely to tip include the Mercury Mountaineer, Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Explorer. NHTSA’s percentage ratings are based on the likelihood of rolling over in the result of a single vehicle crash. Vehicles may well be safer to drive, but they can still tip – especially SUVs.

What type of car is prone to rollovers?

SUVs
Trucks are more likely to roll over than passenger cars because they usually have taller bodies and higher ground clearance. This raises the center of mass. SUVs are prone to rollover, especially those outfitted with long travel off-road suspensions.