Which car has the worst crash rate?

The most consistent answer across recent U.S. data is the Subaru BRZ: multiple insurance-based analyses through 2023–2024 report that BRZ drivers have the highest share of at-fault crash involvement among vehicle models. However, “worst crash rate” depends on how you measure it—at‑fault crashes reported to insurers, insurance claim frequency, or fatality risk per miles driven—so a single definitive winner doesn’t exist across all metrics.

What “crash rate” actually measures

There is no single, official national leaderboard of crash-prone car models. Researchers and insurers use different lenses: some track the percentage of policyholders with at‑fault crashes on record, others count how often a model files collision claims per insured vehicle year, and safety institutes track driver death rates per miles driven. Each lens answers a slightly different question about risk, behavior, and consequences.

What recent data shows

At‑fault crash involvement (insurance policyholder records)

Consumer insurance aggregators that analyze millions of quotes and policies—most notably Insurify—consistently find that certain small, sporty models have the highest share of drivers with a recent at‑fault accident. In successive annual reports through 2023–2024, the Subaru BRZ has topped or tied for the highest rate, typically in the low‑teens percentage of BRZ drivers reporting at‑fault crashes on record. Similar models cluster near the top.

The following examples illustrate models frequently identified with elevated at‑fault crash involvement in recent nationwide analyses:

• Subaru BRZ
• Toyota 86 / GR86 (the BRZ’s mechanical twin)
• Subaru WRX
• Hyundai Genesis Coupe
• Infiniti Q50

These rankings reflect driver records, not inherent vehicle safety. They can be influenced by owner demographics (younger drivers), driving style, and exposure (urban vs. rural miles), in addition to the car’s performance capability.

Insurance claim frequency (collision claims per insured vehicle year)

The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), which analyzes insurer data across the industry, reports collision claim frequency and loss for late‑model vehicles. In its most recent model-year cohorts published through 2024, small sporty coupes and high-performance variants typically post the highest collision claim frequencies—meaning these models are involved in crashes that generate paid claims more often than average.

Vehicle categories and nameplates that commonly sit at or near the top for collision claim frequency include:

• Compact sports coupes (Subaru BRZ, Toyota GR86)
• Performance sedans and coupes (Subaru WRX, BMW M/Performance 3‑/4‑Series variants)
• American “muscle” cars (Dodge Challenger/Charger performance trims)
• Certain luxury/performance EVs in dense urban markets (claim severity often high, with frequency varying by locale)

Claim frequency is a proxy for crash involvement that triggers repairs; it does not measure severity of injuries or fatalities. It is also sensitive to where and how the vehicles are driven and garaged.

Driver death rates (fatality risk per miles driven)

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) periodically publishes driver death rates (deaths per billion vehicle miles) by model year cohorts. Historically, the highest death rates have been concentrated in the smallest, lightest vehicles and certain older subcompacts, not necessarily the same models that lead insurance-claim lists. These studies, updated periodically, emphasize occupant protection outcomes rather than how often crashes occur.

Interpreting death-rate lists requires care: they trail the market by several years to accumulate sufficient mileage exposure, and they can fluctuate with design changes, safety equipment upgrades, and who buys and drives the cars.

Why these models show up as “worst”

Several consistent factors explain why the same types of cars recur at the top of crash and claim frequency lists:

Key patterns experts cite across insurance and safety analyses include:

• Driver mix and age: Sporty models skew younger on average, a group statistically more crash‑prone.
• Performance capability: Higher power-to-weight ratios can correlate with riskier driving and higher speeds.
• Usage and geography: More urban miles, night driving, or recreational use raise exposure to crash scenarios.
• Visibility and size: Smaller cars can be less visible and provide less crash energy management in multi‑vehicle impacts.
• Repair economics: Expensive bodywork or sensors can turn minor crashes into reportable collision claims.

These factors interact: a modest increase in risky exposure, combined with costlier repairs, can notably raise observed claim frequencies even if the car’s crashworthiness is strong.

How to check the latest risk picture for your specific car

Because rankings can change with new model years, trims, and driver populations, checking current, model‑specific information is wise if you’re shopping or evaluating risk.

Practical steps to get up‑to‑date, model‑specific crash and insurance risk information include:

1. Review HLDI’s latest “Insurance losses by make and series” for collision claim frequency and loss severity for your exact model and model years.
2. Check IIHS ratings for crashworthiness (moderate/small overlap, side, roof, head restraints) and crash avoidance (front crash prevention, headlights).
3. Scan recent insurer or aggregator studies (e.g., Insurify) for model-level at‑fault crash involvement trends.
4. Ask your insurer for relative risk or symbol differences across trims; advanced safety packages can materially change outcomes.
5. Consider local context: urban congestion, theft risk, and repair network availability can influence both crash exposure and claim costs.

Taken together, these sources give a more complete picture than any single headline number and help separate driver behavior effects from the vehicle’s safety engineering.

Bottom line

If you’re looking for a single name, the Subaru BRZ is the model most frequently cited in recent U.S. analyses as having the highest at‑fault crash involvement among its drivers, and small sporty coupes like the BRZ/GR86 also rank high in industry collision-claim frequency data. But “worst crash rate” isn’t universal—it shifts with the metric, model year, trim, driver population, and miles driven. Always pair crash/claim rates with crashworthiness and active safety ratings when judging real‑world risk.

Summary

There is no absolute “worst” car by crash rate across all measures. As of 2023–2024 reporting, the Subaru BRZ most often leads at‑fault crash involvement lists, while small sporty coupes and performance models typically show the highest collision claim frequencies in HLDI data. Fatality risk rankings tell a different story focused on occupant protection and often implicate the smallest, lightest vehicles. For decisions, combine insurer claim data, IIHS/HLDI safety results, and local driving context.

Which car has the highest crash rating?

Top 10 Safest Cars in the USA (2025 Edition)

• Volvo XC90 (5 Star)
• Tesla Model S (5 Star)
• Genesis G90 (5-star)
• BMW i5 (5-star)
• Mazda CX-50 (5-star)
• Audi Q8 e-tron (5-star)
• Toyota RAV4 (5-star)
• Mercedes EQ (5-star)

What is the most unsafe car?

The most unsafe car can vary by study and metrics, but recent analyses show the Hyundai Venue, Chevrolet Corvette, and Mitsubishi Mirage frequently appear on lists of cars with the highest fatal accident rates. These studies often cite data on fatal crashes per billion vehicle miles traveled, with factors like vehicle size, power, and driver behavior influencing risk. 
Commonly Listed “Unsafe” Cars

• Hyundai Venue: This small SUV has been identified as having the highest fatal accident rate by some analyses. 
• Chevrolet Corvette: A powerful sports car that often ranks high on “most dangerous” lists due to its high performance and the driving behavior it may encourage. 
• Mitsubishi Mirage: This small, economical car has also shown a high fatal accident rate. 

Factors Contributing to a Car’s Risk

• Vehicle Type and Size: Small cars and performance-oriented cars like the Corvette tend to appear on these lists, along with some larger SUVs that can be more prone to rollovers. 
• Driver Behavior: Factors like driver behavior and driving conditions are often more significant than the vehicle’s design or safety features. 
• Study Metrics: Data is often based on fatal accidents per billion vehicle miles traveled (bvm), a measure that can highlight certain types of vehicles and driving situations. 

What to Consider

• Safety Ratings vs. Fatal Accident Rates: Opens in new tabSome cars on these lists might have excellent crash test ratings from organizations like the IIHS and NHTSA, indicating good structural integrity in a crash but not necessarily a low risk of being involved in one. 
• Recalls and Safety Concerns: Opens in new tabVehicles like the Hyundai Kona Electric have faced safety concerns, including battery fire recalls, that can impact a car’s overall safety. 

What car has the worst crash rate?

The Hyundai Venue has the highest fatality rate, with an average of 13.9 fatalities per billion vehicle miles, according to a 2024 study. Other models with high fatality rates include the Mitsubishi Mirage and other small, light vehicles like the Hyundai Accent, though Tesla has the highest fatal accident rate among car brands. However, driver behavior and the number of vehicles on the road often contribute more to the number of crashes than the vehicle design itself.
 
Factors contributing to high fatality rates:

• Vehicle design: Small, light vehicles tend to have higher fatality rates, as seen with models like the Hyundai Venue and Mitsubishi Mirage, because they offer less protection in a crash. 
• Driver behavior: Studies suggest that driver behavior, rather than vehicle design, is the largest factor in avoiding crashes. Factors such as inattention, risky driving, or overreliance on driving assistance systems can increase the likelihood of accidents. 
• Popularity of the vehicle: Popular models like the Ford F-Series may be involved in more crashes simply due to their high sales volume and prevalence on the roads. 

Examples of vehicles with high fatality rates:

• Hyundai Venue: Opens in new tabThis subcompact SUV has one of the highest fatality rates, with 13.9 fatalities per billion vehicle miles. 
• Mitsubishi Mirage: Opens in new tabThe Mitsubishi Mirage and Mirage G4 models are noted for high fatality rates. 
• Tesla Model Y: Opens in new tabThis electric SUV also appears on some lists of dangerous cars, but many studies indicate that its high fatal accident rate is tied more to driver behavior than the vehicle’s design. 
• Dodge Challenger: Opens in new tabThis car model has one of the highest driver death rates, notes the Kelley Blue Book. 

What car brand has the highest accident rate?

Tesla consistently shows the highest fatal accident rates, though Kia, Buick, Dodge, and Hyundai also appear on high-risk lists, with some data suggesting Tesla’s high accident rate may be linked more to driver behavior and overreliance on autopilot than to the vehicle’s inherent safety. Other reports also highlight brands like Ram and Subaru for having drivers with high incident rates.
 
Brands with High Fatal Accident Rates

• Tesla: Studies frequently place Tesla at the top for fatal accident rates, often citing performance-oriented drivers and potential driver misunderstanding of features like Autopilot as contributing factors. 
• Kia: Kia is another brand that appears on lists of vehicles with high fatal accident rates. 
• Buick: Buick is also identified as a brand with higher-than-average fatal accident rates. 
• Dodge: Dodge is listed as a brand with a higher fatal accident rate according to some analyses. 
• Hyundai: Hyundai drivers are also sometimes associated with higher accident frequency. 

Factors to Consider

• Driver Behavior vs. Vehicle Design: Opens in new tabMany analyses suggest that high accident rates for certain brands may be more reflective of driver behavior (e.g., driving too fast, over-reliance on assisted driving features) rather than a deficiency in vehicle design. 
• Autopilot Features: Opens in new tabFor Tesla, there is speculation that driver overconfidence or misunderstanding of the Autopilot feature can lead to accidents. 
• Data Variation: Opens in new tabDifferent studies use different methodologies, such as accident frequency, fatal accident rates per billion miles, or insurance data, which can lead to variations in the brands ranked. 
• Vehicle Popularity: Opens in new tabBrands with the highest total number of vehicles on the road may also appear in total fatal accident counts, even if their per-vehicle accident rates are not the highest.