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Tesla is responsible for more fatal accidents than any other carmaker — the reason why may surprise you
November 23, 2024
Published by Tyler Anderson
Cars are getting more technologically advanced, refined, and heavier. That’s the industry trend as the shift towards electrification continues on its trajectory in spite of decreasing demand for EVs.
What can be confirmed though, is that the prospect of a Top Safety Pick is not guaranteed to avoid a fatality, as a new report puts this to light.
iSeeCars broke down data gathered from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) of vehicles built with model years 2018-2022. Car crashes that resulted in at least one occupant fatality were counted to identify the most dangerous vehicles on U.S. roads.
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The data identifies 23 models with elevated fatality rates
Drew Phillips
As a result, 23 models were announced to have a far higher rate of fatalities than the overall average. This is measured in cars per billion vehicle miles.
Without further ado, the ten most dangerous vehicles are the Hyundai Venue (13.9 cars per billion vehicle miles), Chevrolet Corvette (13.6), Mitsubishi Mirage (13.6), Porsche 911 (13.2), Honda CR-V Hybrid (13.2), Tesla Model Y (10.6), Mitsubishi Mirage (10.1), Buick Encore GX (9.8), Kia Forte (8.1), and Buick Envision (8.0).
Other models mentioned include the Kia Soul, Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Chevrolet Camaro, Nissan Versa, Kia K5, Kia Seltos, Ford Bronco, Ford Bronco Sport, Dodge Charger, Toyota Prius, Tesla Model S, Infiniti Q50, and Toyota Venza. All of the names mentioned have a fatality rate of at least double the overall average of 2.8 cars per billion vehicle miles.
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The higher fatality rates are not the cars’ fault
But those numbers don’t tell the full story. When comparing the size of the vehicles involved in the accidents, compact and subcompact vehicles are the most dangerous at 3.6 cars per billion vehicle miles. However, when you break it down by manufacturer, Tesla shoots to the top spot with 5.6 cars per billion vehicle miles.
So what’s going on here? The Tesla Model Y is a Top Safety Pick Plus for 2024, yet this darling of a bestseller EV breaches the top 10 for the opposite effect. iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer has a theory.
Tesla
“New cars are safer than they’ve ever been,” said Brauer. “Between advanced chassis design, driver assist technology, and an array of airbags surrounding the driver, today’s car models provide excellent occupant protection. But these safety features are being countered by distracted driving and higher rates of speed, leading to rising accident and death rates in recent years.”
Backing up this claim is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reporting a higher rate of accidents and fatalities in the past five years than the previous twelve. The average statistic of 2.8 cars per billion miles is higher than it used to be.
Final thoughts
It comes down to driver habits and behaviors — anyone who sees the vehicle they own on the list shouldn’t fret, as it doesn’t automatically invalidate you from making what you thought was the right buy at the time.
The list of the most dangerous vehicles isn’t tied down to one carmaker, one vehicle size, or a single purchase decision. It’s how you use it and how you choose to share the road with your fellow drivers.
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