People don’t buy brand-new vehicles to become crash test dummies. That’s for crash test dummies designed to gauge human injury in collisions. It’s a good thing car manufacturers use these test devices as they can unearth some useful information about vehicle safety.
The Usual Suspects
Don’t assume that an SUV or truck will do well in a crash test by virtue of its size, ruggedness, or aggressive stance. Looks can be deceiving, and the reality is some large vehicles do poorly while some small cars excel at crash tests.
The Ratings Bodies
Be sure to check the safety ratings before, rather than after, buying a new or used vehicle. Agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) release detailed safety reports after putting different makes and models through the test.
Unfortunately, not every make and model passes the test. Check out the 14 brands that routinely fail crash tests, literally jeopardizing life and limb.
Honda Fit
For a small car, the Honda Fit has performed well in safety tests. But getting good marks overall for safety doesn’t necessarily translate into a perfect crash test performance. It received a rating of “Poor” in the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test. That was for the 2013 model year.
Mitsubishi Mirage
Is the Mitsubishi Mirage cheap? That depends on whether you’re referring to the price tag or the build quality. Essentially, it comes down to getting what you paid for. According to Consumer Reports, “the weak, vibrating, and incredibly noisy three-cylinder engine provides sluggish acceleration, handling is clumsy, and the cabin is depressingly low-rent.” Ouch!
Despite all this, the car is still pretty reliable overall. But Mitsubishi has struggled to consistently keep its crash test scores up. While some recent model years have shown improvements, proceed with caution.
Dodge Journey
The Dodge Journey is an odd one. It’s called an SUV, but it looks an awful lot like a modern Dodge Caravan. Although it has performed reasonably well in frontal crash tests, it hasn’t done as well in side-impact tests.
Fiat 500
Some owners describe the ride quality as rough and harsh. But others laud the Fiat 500, a small and quirky vehicle with a style of its own, known for its fuel efficiency. And it has a vocal fan base, too. Some love it, while others…not so much. The car hasn’t historically faired all that well regarding crash tests. Inadequate side-impact protection is one of its shortcomings.
Chevrolet Spark
The Chevrolet Spark gets a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating from RepairPal.com, which is good, considering it ranked 10th out of 21 subcompact cars. The vehicle, however, has achieved below-average ratings on crash tests.
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Wranglers are rugged SUVs. While they look the part, these vehicles also present higher-than-average rollover risks. The IIHS gave the 2022 model a marginal rating across several crash tests, including the side-impact test.
Dodge Neon
Manufactured from 1994 to 2005 over two generations, the Dodge Neon is a midsize front-wheel-drive car. The IIHS gave Dodge’s 2000 model an overall evaluation of “M” for marginal.
Chevrolet Astro and GMC Safari
The Astro and Safari are worth considering if you want a van rather than a minivan. The twins are large, spacious, and capable. According to H&H Classic Auctions and other online sources, around 3.2 million Astros and Safaries were manufactured from 1985 to 2005.
Although the human eye suggests these vehicles look safe, they haven’t performed well in some safety tests. For example, the IIHS gave the 1996 model a rating of “Poor,” while the NHTSA gave it three stars. In one test, the crash test dummy’s face collided with the steering wheel even though the airbag was deployed.
Nissan Altima
Kelley Blue Book places the Nissan Altima in an eighth-place tie with the Chevy Camaro Convertible on its list of vehicles with the highest driver death rate for 2017 to 2021 models. It’s not a list that any automaker wishes to see any of its makes, models, or trims on.
Buick Encore
While generally considered a reliable brand, the Buick Encore doesn’t have the best crash test record. For example, the IIHS rated the 2023 model “Poor” for its moderate overlap test.
Chevrolet Equinox
Reception for the Chevy Equinox, which was released in 2005, has been mixed. CoPilot for Car Shopping says many owners complain about excessive oil consumption. Furthermore, the 2023 model received a “Poor” and “Marginal” rating in the moderate overlap and side-crash tests.
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
According to Kelley Blue Book’s “2017-2021 Cars With the Highest Driver Death Rate,” the Chevrolet Camaro Convertible tied for eighth place out of 10 entries. If you’re looking for a model, avoid the years 2017 to 2021.
Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger is an excellent option if you want size combined with handling and power. However, according to Kelley Blue Book, there are problems with the 2017 to 2021 models, with the vehicle coming in seventh place out of 10.
Hyundai Accent
Serious issues were few and far between for the Hyundai Accent’s 2020, 2021, and 2022 models. However, earlier models were prone to performance and engine problems. Kelley Blue Book’s “2017-2021 Cars With the Highest Driver Death Rate” ranks the Accent number four out of 10.
Watch What You Buy if Safety Is Your Top Priority
While a vehicle with a questionable crash test history isn’t necessarily unreliable, it might not be the best choice if safety is your top priority.
Remember, some model years are better than others. It’s up to you to do your homework to avoid vehicles with poor crash test performances.
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