Which car has a 0-star safety rating?

There isn’t just one: multiple cars have received zero-star safety ratings in independent crash-test programs, depending on the market, model year, and trim. Notable examples include the Renault Zoe (2021, Euro NCAP), Fiat Panda (2018, Euro NCAP), Suzuki Swift (2021, Latin NCAP), Toyota Yaris Sedan (2021, Latin NCAP), Renault Duster (2023, Latin NCAP), and earlier Global NCAP tests for models like the Datsun GO (2014), Renault Kwid (2016), and Maruti Suzuki S-Presso (2020, adult occupant). Ratings vary by region and test protocol.

What a 0-star rating actually means

“Zero stars” indicates a vehicle failed to achieve the minimum points required under a specific program’s protocol at the time of testing. It does not mean the car has no safety features; rather, it reflects inadequate crash protection and/or the absence of key active-safety technologies (such as ESC or AEB) relative to that program’s standards. Protocols evolve, so a car can score differently if re-tested years later or in a different region. In the U.S., NHTSA uses a 1–5 star scale (no zero-star), and IIHS uses awards/ratings (not stars), so “zero stars” chiefly applies to NCAP programs in Europe, Latin America, India, Africa, and some other regions.

Notable zero-star results by program and year

Euro NCAP (Europe)

These examples reflect overall Euro NCAP star ratings at the time of testing, under contemporary protocols that heavily weight both crash protection and active safety systems.

• 2017 Fiat Punto — 0 stars (one of the first modern 0-star results in Europe, lacking many up-to-date safety systems).
• 2018 Fiat Panda — 0 stars (poor protection and limited active safety contributed to the result).
• 2021 Renault Zoe (facelift) — 0 stars (side-impact performance and lack of standard active safety drove the rating down).

Euro NCAP zero-star results are rare, typically involving older designs kept on sale without upgrading safety equipment to modern expectations.

Latin NCAP (Latin America and the Caribbean)

Latin NCAP has tightened protocols in recent years, leading to several zero-star outcomes for baseline trims lacking side airbags, ESC, or other critical systems.

• 2017 Chevrolet Onix (first generation, Brazil) — 0 stars (widely publicized; a newer generation later achieved strong ratings).
• 2021 Suzuki Swift (basic LATAM spec) — 0 stars (limited airbags/ESC in tested version under the updated protocol).
• 2021 Toyota Yaris Sedan (LATAM spec) — 0 stars (entry versions without key active safety fared poorly under tougher tests).
• 2023 Renault Duster (LATAM spec) — 0 stars (adult/child protection and active-safety shortfalls in the tested configuration).

In Latin America, the same model can achieve different results if equipped with more airbags, ESC, and other safety tech, so local specification matters greatly.

Global NCAP – Safer Cars for India and Africa

Global NCAP’s regional initiatives have highlighted safety gaps in entry-level models. Historically, Global NCAP presented separate adult and child occupant star ratings; where relevant, “0 stars” here refers to the adult occupant rating for the tested version.

• 2014 Datsun GO (India) — 0 stars (adult occupant).
• 2014 Tata Nano (India) — 0 stars (adult occupant).
• 2016 Renault Kwid (early India spec) — 0 stars (adult occupant; later updates improved performance).
• 2016 Mahindra Scorpio (old generation, India) — 0 stars (adult occupant; the later Scorpio-N is a different, higher-rated model).
• 2018 Nissan NP300 Hardbody (Africa) — 0 stars (adult occupant; highlighted serious structural and safety concerns).
• 2020 Maruti Suzuki S-Presso (India, base spec) — 0 stars (adult occupant; later versions added more safety equipment).

These results pushed manufacturers in India and Africa to add structural reinforcements and standard safety features; several successors or updated trims have since scored notably better.

How to check the current rating of a specific car

Because ratings depend on region, year, and standard equipment, verifying the exact version you plan to buy (or own) is essential. Here’s how to do that effectively.

• Identify your market and program: Euro NCAP (Europe), Latin NCAP (Latin America/Caribbean), Global NCAP (India/Africa), ANCAP (Australia/NZ), etc.
• Match the exact model year, body style, and trim, noting standard safety gear (airbags, ESC, AEB, side curtains, ISOFIX).
• Use the official NCAP website for your region and search the model; watch the test video and read the protocol notes for context.
• Check for re-tests or updates: Facelifts and safety pack changes can materially alter outcomes within the same nameplate.
• If you’re in the U.S., consult NHTSA (star ratings) and IIHS (crashworthiness and crash-avoidance ratings) rather than NCAP stars.

Taking these steps helps you avoid mixing an older or export-only result with a newer, safer configuration, ensuring you’re comparing like-for-like.

Summary

There is no single “zero-star car.” Several models have scored zero stars in specific crash-test programs and years—among them the Renault Zoe (2021, Euro NCAP), Fiat Panda (2018, Euro NCAP), Suzuki Swift (2021, Latin NCAP), Toyota Yaris Sedan (2021, Latin NCAP), Renault Duster (2023, Latin NCAP), and earlier Global NCAP tests for Datsun GO (2014), Renault Kwid (2016), and Maruti Suzuki S-Presso (2020, adult occupant). Always verify the exact market, model year, and trim on the relevant NCAP site (or NHTSA/IIHS in the U.S.) to get the current, most applicable safety rating.

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).

Why is MG5 zero star?

In a world of five-star becoming standard, what actually makes the MG5 a zero-star car is down to tech as much as crash protection. ANCAP publishes a detailed report on the base model it tested, noting MG5’s lack of driver monitoring, lane support, speed limit information and child presence detection, among others.

What car has the lowest safety rating?

The cars with the worst ANCAP ratings

• MG 5 – zero stars. The MG 5 sedan landed in Australia last year, touted as the country’s cheapest new sedan at $24,888 drive away.
• Mahindra Scorpio – zero stars.
• Suzuki Swift – one star.
• MG 3 – three stars.
• Suzuki Jimny – three stars.
• Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator and Avenger – three stars.

What car is ranked #1 in safety?

What Car Brand Is #1 in Safety? Volvo is our pick for the safest car brand in the United States for 2025. The company continues to intensify its focus on pedestrian safety, driver-assist programming, side-impact protection, and overall structural durability.