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Are you planning to buy a car for yourself or your family? Buying a car isn’t like buying a new toy. It needs careful consideration and research to find the brands with the best safety records. Many people dream of buying (or even just driving) fast luxury cars. Putting one’s hands on the wheels of their dream car may seem enticing, but one question needs to be addressed more than any other: “Are they safe to drive?”
Whenever you are shopping for a car, keep safety in mind. You can make an informed decision by researching the brands that get into the most accidents. To make your search easier, we’ve listed the car brands that have been the most accident-prone in recent years.
What Are The Most Accident-Prone Car Brands?
So, which car brand gets into the most accidents? We’ve compiled data from various sources to present you with the car brands that have the highest accident rates and the drivers most likely to be involved in collisions. We’ll also explore specific car models within these brands that might pose a higher risk.
Toyota
Toyota cars are generally seen as among the safest on the road. In fact, four of the brand’s smaller cars have notably won the 2024 Top Safety Picks award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
However, why is Toyota on this list? Well, this ultimately boils down to how popular their cars are. The California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) reported in its latest California Auto Outlook that Toyota recorded 71,832 new registrations in the first quarter of 2024. This figure marked a 9.3% increase compared to the same quarter in the previous year. The association also indicated that the brand’s market share grew by 1.3%, rising from 15.3% in 2023 to 16.6% this year. Meanwhile, other data showed that as of June 2023, Toyota was the second most valuable automotive brand globally, with a market value of around $28.5 billion.
The sheer number of their cars on the road translates to more accidents under their name. Some would even say that, by a three-to-one chance, a Toyota car is involved in a two- or three-vehicle accident.
Here are some Toyota cars that may be considered dangerous:
2023 Toyota Mirai
Despite the 2023 Toyota Mirai’s reputation as a marvel of automotive technology, many people also see it as overly ambitious and full of drawbacks. According to some, its hydrogen fuel cell technology is still in its infancy, and its current infrastructure is unfit.
Hydrogen’s incomplete development might be concerning, but its inherent disadvantage is more than that. Although it may be a non-toxic fuel source, improperly handling it can cause invisible and extremely dangerous fires.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstay on US roads. It has long been a popular vehicle of choice among Americans due to its fuel efficiency and overall accessibility.
However, it is also notorious for sudden acceleration without the driver’s input. There have been numerous reports of certain Toyota Camry models accelerating unintentionally, leading to injuries and deaths. Toyota even paid a fine amounting to over $1.2 billion for allegedly covering up this auto-defect issue.
Toyota Yaris
Similar to the Camry, various accounts indicate that some Toyota Yaris models tend to accelerate on their own. Furthermore, previous reports stated that these cars had problems with their wiring, which could deactivate some of their safety features, like airbags. If a Toyota Yaris gets into an accident and the airbags don’t deploy as they should, victims are left with no protection from the impact of the collision. As such, they’re likely to sustain severe injuries.
Dodge Ram
Safety ratings for Ram pickup trucks are usually high. However, a recent LendingTree study revealed that Ram had the worst drivers. According to their analysis, they are involved in 32.9 accidents per 1,000 drivers. In fact, they are considered the worst in almost half of the country.
Additionally, Ram drivers had the most speeding incidents, at 4.42 per 1,000 drivers. They also had the second most DUIs (1.72) and traffic accident involvements (22.76). Ram drivers also ranked fifth in the number of citations among car brands, with 8.00 incidents per 1,000 drivers.
The Ram 1500
According to MotorTrend, the Ram 1500 is among the safest cars you can buy in 2024. However, other reports state this vehicle has long been unimpressive regarding its safety track record. For several years, the pickup truck has received failing marks from the IIHS in frontal offset tests. It was also rated poorly for protecting occupants from potential injuries in the event of a crash. While the Ram has constantly improved in multiple aspects, its side-impact and rollover ratings still leave much to be desired.
Tesla
Tesla claims its vehicles are engineered to be the safest in the world. However, insurance data suggests otherwise.
Tesla ranks second on the list of car brands with the worst drivers, with 31.13 incidents for every 1,000 drivers. The LendingTree study mentioned above shows that Tesla drivers have the highest accident rate in eleven states.
While Ram may have had the worst drivers during the study period, Tesla has the reputation of being the most accident-prone car brand. From 2022 to 2023, Tesla drivers were involved in 23.54 accidents per 1,000 drivers.
Here are some Tesla cars that may be considered dangerous:
Tesla Model S And X
Last year, Tesla recalled about 16,000 of its 2021–2023 Model S and X. The concerns were about front seatbelts not being properly reinstalled after repairs. If the seatbelt is not connected correctly, it may fail to protect passengers in a collision, increasing the risk of injuries. Tesla has already made a few warranty claims regarding this issue.
Tesla Model Y
Based on the safety recall report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 137 2022–2023 Tesla Model Y vehicles were recalled in 2023 due to loose steering wheels. The company received four warranty claims and one field report that may be related to the problem. This issue could cause the driver to lose control of the car during operation or result in the disconnection of the steering wheel from its column. Both of these are major problems that can result in accidents, causing significant injuries to drivers and everyone around them.
BMW
BMWs are typically associated with a lavish lifestyle. They are highly coveted cars that need no introduction. However, their owners also have the unfortunate distinction of being the most likely to be driving under the influence. The LendingTree study revealed that there were 3.13 DUIs per 1,000 drivers, which is almost twice as many as the next highest-ranking car brand in this category, Ram, with 1.72. The study also found 26.82 BMW-related incidents per 1,000 drivers, placing it sixth on the list.
The BMW 3 Series
Some BMW 3 Series vehicles have had issues with their suspension, making them really bumpy to drive. This problem was so concerning, as cars couldn’t handle even the slightest bumps or cracks on the road smoothly. Drivers might also have a difficult time steering their BMW 3 Series, causing them to bump into other vehicles or external obstacles.
Additionally, the car brand itself asked owners of around 90,000 older cars, particularly 2000–2006 BMW 3 Series models, to refrain from driving them already. BMW explained that the airbags installed in such vehicles might malfunction and explode during crashes.
Hyundai
Like Toyota, you can’t go on the road without at least seeing a Hyundai car. However, this popularity also has a downside. The LendingTree study also reported 25.47 incidents per 1,000 drivers involving the car brand from 2022 to 2023.
Unlike Toyota cars, Hyundai’s more notable blunder may have soured its reputation. In 2023, Hyundai recalled over 1.64 million vehicles due to fire risks. The situation got so bad that selected owners were advised to park their cars outside their homes until they had been properly repaired.
Some Hyundai cars that may be considered dangerous include:
Hyundai Veloster Turbo
Like other vehicles, the Hyundai Veloster Turbo has a concerning history regarding its safety and reliability. The car brand is recalling 26,169 Velosters from the 2012 and 2013 model years due to the risk of an electrical short that could lead to a fire. The issue stems from water entering the Reverse Park Aid Sensor (RPAS) due to inadequate sealing of the printer circuit board within the RPAS assembly. Accordingly, this concern may cause the car’s rear parking assist feature to malfunction.
In its report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Hyundai wrote that it had received five reports of fires but no confirmed crashes or injuries related to this issue.
Hyundai Accent
Some sources show sufficient safety ratings for the Hyundai Accent, but the number of deaths per million tells a different story. In a recent IIHS study of the deadliest vehicles on the road, these cars had 152 deaths per million under their name. Inadequate seatbelts, low-quality components for the overall structure, and a mediocre safety cage put the Hyundai Accent in a precarious position regarding safety.
Hyundai Elantra
The 2019 Hyundai Elantra has shown notable enhancements. However, vehicles of this kind also have a concerning safety record. According to the IIHS study above, the Hyundai Elantra tallied 103 deaths per million.
Other Car Brands That Have The Worst Track Record In Terms Of Accident Involvement
Unknown to many, certain vehicles are more prone to accidents. Here are a few additional car brands that had the most accidents in 2024:
Infiniti
Infiniti cars are famous for their excellent safety features, bagging one of IIHS’s Top Safety Pick+ awards in 2023. However, they were also ranked eighth among the cars most likely to be involved in traffic collisions, so it’s a good thing they were crashproof. Data shows 26.72 Infiniti accidents per 1,000 drivers.
Lexus
Even though Lexus boasts an advanced system that helps driver awareness and decision-making, it still finds itself on this list. Drivers who are unaware of their car’s excellent safety features can make poor decisions on the road. The brand was associated with 26.73 accidents per 1,000 drivers.
Mazda
Like Toyota, several Mazda models earned Top Safety Pick+ awards from IIHS in 2024. Despite sporting some of the safest vehicles, Mazda still made it to the list of car brands with the most driving incidents from 2022 to 2023. According to the LendingTree data, Mazda is linked to 27.74 incidents per 1,000 drivers.
Volkswagen
With a safety rating of 9.55/10, U.S. News & World Report named Volkswagen vehicles as some of the safest cars today. While the car may be safe, the same cannot be said for its drivers. LendingTree’s data shows that 27.92 Volkswagen accidents per 1,000 drivers occurred in 2023. It can be inferred that driving behaviors may have contributed to the accidents, rather than the cars themselves.
Subaru
Subaru is often recognized for its commitment to safety, yet it has a reported accident rate of 30.09 per 1,000 drivers. Some interpret this statistic as an indication that the brand attracts drivers with poor driving records.
What Factors Impact The Safety Of A Vehicle?
Various vehicle models have characteristics that can make a life-or-death difference in a car accident. A car’s material quality, size, and structure all impact its ability to withstand the force of a collision and protect its occupants.
For instance, trucks, SUVs, and pickups are more likely to be involved in rollover and side-swipe accidents due to their heights and higher centers of gravity. On the other hand, small and lightweight motor vehicles lack the structure to absorb the impact of a crash, meaning that the force of a collision will be greater for their occupants.
In a collision between a lightweight and a heavier car, the smaller vehicle will tend to crumple on impact, causing catastrophic injuries. Unfortunately, drivers of smaller cars are most likely to be involved in DUI, speeding, and reckless driving incidents.
Are Luxury Car Drivers More Prone To Accidents?
Apparently so. Many of the car brands listed above are renowned for manufacturing luxurious cars. While having a more expensive vehicle does not directly translate to a higher probability of getting into an accident, it does attract drivers with a history of poor driving behavior. If not, it makes enacting unsafe driving practices more tempting.
For instance, knowing your car can outdrive everyone as the traffic light turns green will make you more likely to take off if someone revs their engine in a challenge. After all, if you have a sports or luxury car, chances are you like to drive fast.
The sense of entitlement prevalent among many luxury car owners can also be attributed to the increased likelihood of accidents involving these vehicles. Because they drive a vehicle worth millions of dollars, some may feel like they are the king of the road. They may drive recklessly just for the thrill of it or willfully disobey the traffic laws just because they have the money to do so.
Indeed, not all luxury car owners do this, but many do, which explains the high accident rates.
Can A Car Brand Be Held Responsible For An Accident?
It depends. A car brand or model often involved in accidents may indicate a critical safety concern that could make the brand liable, although that may not always be the case. There are several instances in which a brand may have high car accident rates due to factors beyond its control. Sometimes, cars get unlucky and attract drivers with bad driving habits or practices. In such cases, the drivers are responsible for the accident, not the car brand.
Remember, you are not the only one on the road. Safety is a shared responsibility. That said, it’s important to check a car’s safety ratings before buying it. After all, no driver wants to risk their life on purpose.
Call Arash Law’s Car Accident Lawyers In California
Whether you’re driving one of the cars made by the brands that get in the most accidents or not, knowing what to do after a car accident is imperative. It’s not only to protect your rights to seek compensation for the damages you may have incurred, but also for your safety.
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a car accident in California, call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391. Our California car accident attorneys will assist you with your questions and concerns. We have decades of experience handling various traffic accident cases for injured victims in California and can guide you through the legal process of pursuing compensation you may be entitled to.
Moreover, we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay any attorney’s fees unless your case results in a settlement or court award. Please note that you may still be responsible for other case-related fees regardless of the outcome. We will explain our payment structure during your consultation.
Contact our personal injury lawyers for a free initial consultation. We are committed to safeguarding your rights and seeking just compensation on your behalf. Our services are available for victims in many areas in California, including those in major cities such as Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, Bakersfield, Fresno, Anaheim, Riverside, San Luis Obispo, Santa Ana, Oceanside, Santa Rosa, Glendale, Fremont, San Bernardino, and Visalia. We also serve victims in nearby locations like Palm Springs, Monterey, Salinas, Santa Barbara, Stockton, Modesto, Chico, Redding, Oakland, Yuba, and El Centro.
