Road safety is one of the top concerns for consumers today. Whether you’re looking for a daily driver for yourself or something for your family, knowing that you’ll be safe on the road is a priority. Data from crash reports, insurance claims, and safety studies have revealed that some models are fairly risky when it comes to your safety. Here are the five deadliest cars on the road today that have been flagged for high accident rates and other incidents.
5. Honda Civic
While the Honda Civic is thought to be a relatively safe car, it has actually landed itself in the top five deadliest vehicles in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives it a five-star safety rating. Unfortunately, that hasn’t stopped the number of fatalities this car has been involved in. One study looked at the fatal crash data from 2015 to 2020 and it showed that the Honda Civic was involved in 4,397 fatal crashes.
4. Toyota Camry
Many people drive the Camry without any issues. In fact, it is known to be a reliable and relatively safe car, but it has been involved in a huge number of fatal crashes. Based on NHTSA data, Camrys were involved in 4,734 fatal crashes within a five-year period, landing it in the top five deadliest cars in America. Crash tests involving the Camry showed that, in some cases, the airbags pushed passengers’ heads too far to the right when deployed. It also showed that there was some risk of injury to the chest for rear passengers when involved in an accident.
3. Honda Accord
You might be surprised to see another Honda on the list. I know I was! Not only is the Honda Accord among the deadliest cars in the United States but it is known to be the deadliest passenger vehicle. The Accord was implicated in 5,079 fatal car crashes in the same five-year period (2015 to 2020). More shockingly, it is one of the most popular vehicles in the U.S. and has received five-star ratings from the NHTSA.
2. Chevrolet Silverado
Ranking in at number two is the Chevy Silverado. Although trucks are usually seen as safe, the Silverado has been involved in 7,718 fatal accidents within a five-year span. It’s been given a five-star overall safety rating and a four-star rollover rating, meaning that it could be prone to rolling if it gets in an accident. Crash tests also showed that there was a moderate risk of a leg injury in crashes with the Silverado.
1. Ford F-150
I was a bit surprised to find the Ford F Series on this list as well, let alone see it ranked as number one. Within the same five-year period, the F-150 was involved in 10,845 fatal crashes. As one of the most popular pickup trucks in the states, it is shocking to think about the number of fatal accidents the vehicle has been involved in. Again, the NHTSA safety rating is five stars. However, the 2023 model received a “poor” rating for its front crash test from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Prioritizing Safety for Your Car
Many of these cars are extremely popular, which is likely why they have been involved in so many accidents. However, making your safety a priority when you are considering buying a new car is important. Oftentimes, the car’s overall safety has to do with a combination of things, including performance, safety features, crash tests, and the driver’s behavior. That said, you might want to think twice about these five deadliest cars.