Which auto makes get in the most fatal crashes?

Over 30,000 drivers and passengers die yearly in auto accidents despite new safety features and technology. So what brand of car has the most accidents, and which vehicle is involved in the most fatal crashes?

This article covers the most crashed cars in America and which automakers are involved in the most fatal crashes across the country. We used information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to determine the safest and most dangerous auto makes.

Ford and Chevrolet are at the top of our list for most accidents, both fatal and non-fatal. However, different models are more likely to get into an accident than others. It also makes a difference whether or not you are in one of the worst states for traffic-related fatalities.

Keep reading to uncover the most accident-prone cars and how this can affect your auto insurance rates if you drive one of the most crashed cars in America.

Which auto makes get in the most fatal crashes?

According to the NHTSA, four-door sedans and light pick-up trucks are involved in the most fatal accidents year after year. In 2019, there were nearly 20,000 fatal accidents involving sedans and pick-up trucks respectively, accounting for 77% of all fatal accidents in 2019.

Overall, the autos involved in the most fatal accidents are the Chevrolet Silverado and the Ford F-150, both considered light pick-up trucks. 

Our study looks at four years of accident rates between 2017 and 2019 to determine which auto makes get in the most fatal crashes. Scroll down to see the deadliest cars in America. We listed the top three brand models with the most fatal accidents and their auto insurance rates.

#1 – Ford

Ford and Chevrolet almost tie for having the most fatal crashes per model. Unfortunately, Fords are more often involved in more fatal crashes, despite the Chevrolet Silverado having the most fatal crashes overall.

• Ford F-150: 7,502 accidents
• Ford Explorer: 3,139 accidents
• Ford F-250: 2,859 accidents

Ford F-150 insurance rates are higher than average at $177 per month to compensate for its risk on the road, but drivers can get cheaper auto insurance quotes for a Ford F-250 depending on their driving records.

#2 – Chevrolet

Chevrolet has the second-most fatal accidents, with the Silverado, Impala, and Malibu models all in the top 20 for most fatal auto accidents over three years:

• Chevrolet Silverado: 8,777 accidents
• Chevrolet Impala: 2,765 accidents
• Chevrolet Malibu: 2,548 accidents

However, Chevrolet Silverado auto insurance rates and Impala auto insurance rates remain well below the national average, at $149 and $112 per month, respectively. Despite their high fatality rates on the road, Chevrolets are generally easy to repair, which keeps auto rates low.

#3 – Honda

Honda is known for its reliable vehicles, and the Honda Civic is the IIHS top safety pick for 2022. However, over 4,000 Civics were involved in fatal accidents between 2017 and 2019:

• Honda Accord: 5,368 accidents
• Honda Civic: 4,648 accidents
• Honda CR-V: 1,867 accidents

Although it’s in the top three for most fatal car accidents, Honda auto insurance rates are among the most affordable. For example, drivers pay between $100 and $130 monthly to insure the three models listed above.

Honorable Mention – Toyota

We included Toyota on our list of auto makes that get into the most fatal crashes because the Camry was involved in over 5,000 fatal accidents:

• Toyota Camry: 5,023 accidents
• Toyota Corolla: 3,641 accidents
• Toyota Tacoma: 1,984 accidents

The Toyota Tacoma has lower fatality rates than any other light pick-up on this list, partly because Tacoma auto insurance rates are well below the national average at around $112 a month.

However, only the top four deadliest cars were involved in over 5,000 fatal accidents, earning Toyota an honorable mention on our list.

What are the five deadliest cars?

The deadliest cars in America were responsible for over 5,000 fatal accidents each, with Dodge coming just below at 4,666 crashes:

• Chevrolet Silverado: 8,777
• Ford F-150: 7,502
• Honda Accord: 5,368
• Toyota Camry: 5,023
• Dodge Ram: 4,666

The Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150 have significantly higher rates of fatal crashes compared to the other vehicles on this list.

What are the most accident-prone cars in your state? Take a look at the table below to see which auto make and model is the most deadly in each state:

Chevrolet Silverados are the deadliest cars, with nearly 9,000 fatal accidents across 30 states, followed by Honda in eight states, and Ford in five. 

But which of these auto makes is the most crashed car in America? Let’s look closely at non-fatal accident rates to see which auto make is the most dangerous on the road. 

What brand of car has the most accidents?

Speeding is the leading cause of accidents in the U.S., followed by driving under the influence, failure to yield right of way, failure to maintain lane, and distracted driving. 

We looked at crash rates due to speed, and how many accidents occurred at intersections and on highways to determine which car make and model has the most accidents. The table below shows the accident rate by auto make:

Chevrolet and Ford are involved in over 11,000 accidents each, nearly 4,000 more than the next-highest auto make.

What is the safest car brand? Kias were involved in the fewest accidents.

What You Need to Know About Driving the Most Crashed Car in America

Chevrolet, Ford, and Honda are the top three auto makes that get in the most fatal crashes over three years. Unfortunately, Ford and Chevrolet are involved in 4,000 more non-fatal and 2,000 more fatal accidents than Honda or any other automaker on this list. 

One of the factors that affect car insurance rates is the make and model of the vehicle you’re trying to insure. Above, we discussed how auto insurance rates for some of these vehicles remain relatively low despite the high fatality rates, including Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150 insurance rates.

However, if you drive one of the deadliest cars and have a poor driving record, you could end up paying more for car insurance:

Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

For example, you can expect your auto insurance rates to increase after an accident if you file a claim. You can claim auto insurance if you’re at fault for an accident, but you’ll definitely see your rates go up for at least three years.

If you’re looking for affordable auto insurance after an accident, compare quotes from multiple companies online. We recommend shopping with three or more local companies before you buy to find the most competitive auto insurance rates for your budget.

Methodology: How to Find the Most Crashed Car in America

For this study, we looked at authoritative data from the NHTSA and IIHS to determine which auto makes were involved in the most fatal crashes between 2017 and 2019. The release date for the data covering 2019 was December 18, 2020, and is the most recent data available for fatal crashes per auto make.

We then collected data about the deadliest cars and automakers to determine which makes and models have the most auto accidents. The top three rankings consider which models of vehicles had the highest number of fatal accidents. Only four auto makes were responsible for over 5,000 fatal accidents, earning them a spot on our list of the deadliest cars in America.