Tesla Has the Highest Fatal Accident Rate of All Auto Brands, Study Finds

[Tactical Peek]

Last edited Sun Nov 17, 2024, 12:14 PM - Edit history (1)

Tesla vehicles suffer fatal accidents at a rate that's twice the industry average, according to a new report.

By Joe Kucinski
Published: Nov 15, 2024

Tesla's vehicles have the highest fatal accident rate among all car brands in America, according to a recent iSeeCars study that analyzed data from the U.S. Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

The study was conducted on model year 2018–2022 vehicles, and focused on crashes between 2017 and 2022 that resulted in occupant fatalities. Tesla vehicles have a fatal crash rate of 5.6 per billion miles driven, according to the study; Kia is second with a rate of 5.5, and Buick rounds out the top three with a 4.8 rate. The average fatal crash rate for all cars in the United States is 2.8 per billion vehicle miles driven.

The study also breaks down some of the data for individual models. The Tesla Model S has a rate more than double than average, at 5.8 per billion vehicle miles driven; meanwhile, the Tesla Model Y — the best-selling vehicle in the world has a fatal crash rate of 10.6, nearly four times the average. It ranked as the sixth worst vehicle overall. (The Hyundai Venue took the top spot overall, with a fatal crash rate of 13.9.)

The study's authors make clear that the results do not indicate Tesla vehicles are inherently unsafe or have design flaws. In fact, Tesla vehicles are loaded with safety technology; the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the 2024 Model Y as a Top Safety Pick+ award winner, for example. Many of the other cars that ranked highly on the list have also been given high ratings for safety by the likes of IIHS and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, as well.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a62919131/tesla-has-highest-fatal-accident-rate-of-all-auto-brands-study/

---------

Don't worry, it's just a coincidence.

[Irish_Dem]

1. Musk enjoys killing Americans.

Probably gets a bonus from Putin per US body count.

[dalton99a]

2. +1. They mean nothing to him

There is a long documented history

[Irish_Dem]

3. Psychopaths like killing and torturing people.

It is a turn on for them.

[defacto7]

7. Actually, psychopaths don't necessarily like killing and torturing,

they just do it without remorse when it's in their own interest, and they only do what is in their own self interest. There are a lot more of these than people think. Enjoying it is the realm of the psychotic and certain sociopathic disorders. There are a lot of those too. I'm no expert, I'm just interested it the subject.

on edit: Yes. I think Musk is a psychopath. He doesn't care what happens to people.

[Irish_Dem]

9. No.

I disagree. They do not only do it when it is in their self interest.
Serial killers have no self interest in the rape and murder of their victims.
They do it because they enjoy it.

And we are talking about Trump, Putin, Musk.
I could write a book about each of them and how they truly enjoy the torture, humiliation, degradation of others.

[defacto7]

12. That makes them more than a psychopath

if you're right that they enjoy it. You may be right. Basically, a psychopath is missing the brain function that has empathy; it's genetic. Supposedly 8% of the human race are psychopaths. Most have learned early in life that it's in their self interest to conform to societal norms and they're not easily noticed. But given the opportunity they can easily become more than a psychopath because they have no remorse. Then they would have other social disorders added to the mix. To be fair, the definitions change now and then.

Personally, I think Musk, Trump, Thiel and others think it's in their best self interest to cull the human race whether they are enjoying it or just doing what comes naturally.

[Irish_Dem]

13. There is ample evidence that Trump enjoys his evil deeds.

His obvious glee as he watched J6.

If you study his sexual assaults, he plans them in advance and prides himself of tricking and deceiving women.
He made it a point to sleep with all of his friend's wives in order to humiliate his pals.
He and Epstein had sick sexual games where they tricked and deceived women.
Trump raped children which he sees as fun and entertaining.

Trump is enjoying his cabinet appointments because they shock and scare people.
This is his entire goal.

Putin gave his troops huge amounts of booze and viagra as they invaded Ukraine with orders
to rape women and children. This was not just a message to Ukraine but fun for Putin
who loves leaving his calling card at his crime scenes. He loves it.
He kills people with horrible poisons which torture them to death. This is done for his amusement.
Putin will kill every man, woman and child in Ukraine, and level the country.
And enjoy every moment of it.

BTW there is no official psychopath diagnosis. It is all an informal and speculative dx. Not official.
And there is not enough definitive research to support your claims.

[defacto7]

18. On subject, I don't think we disagree at all.

As far as definitions, most psychological definitions are speculative, evolving constantly, and there are many professional disagreements. My view is reasonable and there is ongoing research which I've considered. But that being said, I allow myself to be wrong when it's warranted. I could be. I'll take your views under advisement.

Be well.

[Irish_Dem]

22. You are doing an injustice to the field of psychology.

We are not a group of people who speculate, change our minds, and disagree on basic diagnostic and treatment methodology.
We have spent many years in training, received advanced degrees and have decades of experience delivering top notch care
based on science. Not guess work. We are trained as scientists and practitioners.

Your view is not reasonable and is unfair to an entire field of professionals.

[defacto7]

39. I'll take that under advisement.

and bid you adieu.

Be well.

[Doodley]

37. Agreed. Childhood cruelty to animals in a strong precursor of psychopathy. This is because they enjoy it.

[Hugin]

4. This explains the push for the...

Clustertruck. It’s an attempt to even out the brand stats. A refrigerator sitting in someone’s driveway doesn’t rack up accident stats.

[Richard D]

16. He's just getting started. (nt)

[Irish_Dem]

19. Tesla deaths is just the warm up act.

He also killed Ukrainians when he screwed up their starlink access.

[cloudbase]

5. My guess would be

an over-reliance on the full self driving technology and the reduction (or absence) of driver attention to the car and what's going on around it.

[Emile]

10. I think you are right.

[Retrograde]

42. Add in a younger group of drivers

and I think you're onto something. In my area, drivers of white Teslas seem to be the worst - don't stop for stop signs, forget the part about "right turn on red" requiring a full stop first, think everyone else should yield to them because they're so cool. I saw one yesterday driving down the street at slightly above the speed limit with lights flashing continuously - I have no idea what the driver thought they were doing. Is a CommonSense-ectomy required to buy one of these? (Or do drivers of white Teslas think they're anonymous and they can drive however they want? By contrast, there's a red Tesla in my neighborhood whose driver actually stops for stop signs and yields to oncoming traffic)

[ruet]

52. They Are Also Incredibly Quick.

Too much power in the hands of those who shouldn't have it.

[EX500rider]

53. ..and add in insanely fast for SUV's/sedans...

Here's a Tesla Model X SUV beating a Audi R-8 600hp supercar in a drag race:

[hatrack]

6. There's a simple solution - outlaw the Fatality Analysis Reporting System

That was easy!

[Hugin]

8. Or fire everyone who works there...

Ooops, they all had odd SSNs. Couldn’t be helped. Gotta cut that deficit!

[Walleye]

11. Wait until they get rid of all those "burdensome regulations"

[TheBlackAdder]

50. Elon: DOGE recommends the elimination of the U.S. Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

[Klarkashton]

14. Overpriced piece of shit.

[FailureToCommunicate]

15. So...if the cars are just as safe as other brands, what could it POSSIBLY be?

The knucklehead drivers perchance?

[leftyladyfrommo]

17. My friends have a Tesla and rednecks in

huge Ford trucks keep trying to run them off the road.

[garybeck]

20. Link please

[LittleGirl]

21. yes, where's the link please? Thanks nt

[barbtries]

24. i googled and came up with this

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a62919131/tesla-has-highest-fatal-accident-rate-of-all-auto-brands-study/

[CoopersDad]

26. Original source link cited in other articles is below, iSeeCars

Cars With the Most Frequent Occupant Fatalities - iSeeCars Study
Rank
Model
Fatal Accident Rate (Cars per Billion Vehicle Miles)
Compared to Overall Average

https://www.iseecars.com/most-dangerous-cars-study#v=2024

[barbtries]

23. link to article

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a62919131/tesla-has-highest-fatal-accident-rate-of-all-auto-brands-study/

[CoopersDad]

25. Most dangerous cars are the Hyundai Venue, Chevrolet Corvette, Mitsubishi Mirage, Porsche 911, and Honda CR-V Hybrid

The original source mentioned:
https://www.iseecars.com/most-dangerous-cars-study#v=2024

Tesla Model Y comes next at number 6.
The Model S comes in at number 21.

It might be the drivers and not the cars, so much.

[AkFemDem]

28. BMW should be on that list except...

to be fair they are most dangerous to OTHER drivers :-/

[DFW]

32. Here in Germany, it's the BMW drivers that are dangerous, not the cars themselves

My wife and I both drive BMW cars, mostly because they provide good protection in case some nut runs into you, which happens a lot in Germany, but also because they drive like a dream. Drivers here are required to go through a thorough driver's ed before they get their licenses, and then, as soon as they get their licenses, tend to forget everything they had learned. They don't slow down for minor hindrances like fog, snow, icy roads, or torrential downpours. This is why there are annual stories of 70 car pile-ups on the Autobahn in winter here. Can't see what's ahead of you and the road is slippery? No problem, full speed ahead. The more powerful your car, the more likely you are to end up as ground chuck upon impact. My wife told me I was being too extravagant when I insisted on buying her a BMW station wagon. I said it wasn't for extravagance, but for survival. One time, when she was stopped at traffic light, and a semi was to her left, the semi driver was so high up, he didn't see her. When the light changed, he starting to make a sharp right so that his rig would make it. He crushed my wife's car, but the driver side held just long enough for her to scramble to the passenger side and out the passenger window. If she had been in a Passat, she would have been killed instantly.

On rural roads, which she frequently travels to get to her mom's village, there are crosses and monuments all over the place to commemorate 18-20 year olds who get their first cars, go out partying, take the Autobahn home, where there are no speed limits, and then they get off and onto rural curvy roads where the speed limit is (justifiably) 30-50 MPH. But that seems like standing still after just having been cruising at 110 MPH. So they speed up to 60 or 70, and crash into other cars or trees they didn't see in the night fog. It's not the cars. It's the idiots who drive them. The cops never stop you for reckless driving here. They have automatic photo/radar machines that send you speeding tickets, but they almost never pull you over. Maybe if they did, it would be a little safer here. Despite the relative safety of my car, I NEVER drive long distances any more. The train is way more expensive, and the planes more so, but there is no way I will risk my nerves and/or my life driving on the Autobahn if I can avoid it. Here in Germany, there are just too many Germans on the road to do that safely.

[BeyondGeography]

27. Wouldn't know but a friend says they accelerate faster than any car he has ever been in

I imagine that plays a role.

[EX500rider]

54. yes, see:

[CoopersDad]

29. Tesla Model 3 #1 of 26 Safest Electric Cars: iSeeCars

The OP article uses data from iSeeCars.com that compares brands but in a deeper dive compares models.
The Tesla Model 3 does not make the list; neither does the Model X or Cybertruck (yuck).

The Model 3 scores 10/10 for safety, based on the same data used to score poorly on the Tesla brand.

Tesla Model 3 Summary
The Tesla Model 3 is widely regarded as the best electric sedan in the world. The Model 3 is also the top-selling EV in the US market by a wide margin. This compact/midsize sedan offers a thrilling driving experience and advanced technology.

Overview
Tesla’s Model 3 has become the benchmark in the EV car world. This sedan now outsells entire brands in America. Fans love the Model 3 because it brought an amazing electric vehicle to shoppers at a, relatively, attainable price point. All Teslas have a large main central screen that operates almost every aspect of the vehicle. Once novel, that approach has gone farther than some shoppers like. There is no head-up display available and no driver information display offered directly ahead of the driver. Tesla also does not offer many traditional luxury features some buyers in the $50K range have come to expect. For example, there is no option for leather seating surfaces. Available in rear- or all-wheel drive, the Model 3 offers performance car driving dynamics in most trims. Its top trims are arguably the best bang for the buck in the performance car market.

https://www.iseecars.com/best-cars/best-electric-cars

[Bluetus]

31. They sell very few model 3s. The Y is the big seller.

And the Y numbers are terrible. The model 3 is cheaper, so it is likely few of those have the "fully self-driving" feature. That probably accounts for the difference between the statistics for 3 vs. Y

[CoopersDad]

33. Fully Self Driving is available on all Tesla models, even the $27,000 Modely 3.

$27,000 after federal and local rebates, that was.

Fully Self Driving is an accessory upgrade available on all newer models.
You are correct that the Model Y is the most sold and most popular model and responsible for the poor showing for the brand.
I'm not sure why as it seems pretty stable unlike other high center of gravity vehicles.

The report doesn't look much at the factors led to more fatalities but the Model Y was the stinker, that's for sure.

[Bluetus]

35. M3 is the cheap one. Less likely for people to pay big bucks

for the "fully self-driving" (a complete misnomer) subscription. FSD is probably involved in far more accidents than owners or the company admits because the Tesla owner base is mostly fan boys who want to believe that garbage actually works. The truth is, it is a real danger to everybody on the road.

I agree with you, there isn't an obvious reason why either the 3 or Y should have such a bad record. Other than the (literally) killer app with FSD, the cars should not be particularly dangerous.

[Bluetus]

30. The Model S had huge suspension problems

Last edited Sun Nov 17, 2024, 01:45 PM - Edit history (1)

Big corrosion problems because the tech bros didn't think they needed to know anything about metallurgy. In hundreds of cases (maybe thousands), wheels simply broke off the car for no good reason.

These days, that seems to be fixed, but I don't know when they solved the problem, and I don't think they went back and repaired the defective cars.

I also suspect that the so-called "fully self-driving" feature has probably caused far more accidents than have been reported. After all, most Tesla people are a bit fanatical about their cars and boast wildly about this feature, even though it can only go about 12 13 miles between potentially catastrophic interventions.

[CoopersDad]

34. I can't tell if you have actually ever used Fully Self Driving in a Tesla.

Last edited Sun Nov 17, 2024, 01:52 PM - Edit history (1)

"12 miles between potentially catastrophic interventions" sounds like an exaggeration or an unsupportable claim from the Interweb.

I used it last night for a 100+ mile trip between San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz without incident.

When it kicks out of FSD it's usually because I do something like exceed 85 mph or force a lane change.

It's pretty reliable and changes lanes on it's own, keeps to the right, slows down as needed and makes the required turns from required lanes. I'm on a 30-day trial, the second one offered. They get to collect more data as a result. I don't like using it around the neighborhood but it's nice on long trips. I am not interested in buying FSD or paying the $100/month subscription but might if I drove a lot more than I do.

[Bluetus]

36. I stand corrected

"12 miles between potentially catastrophic interventions sounds like an exaggeration or an unsupportable claim from the Interweb."

The number is 13 (not 12) and that is reported by Elektrek, which is a reliable source and has long been extremely pro-Tesla.
https://electrek.co/2024/09/26/tesla-full-self-driving-third-party-testing-13-miles-between-interventions/

[CoopersDad]

38. So, "potentially catastrophic interventions" could be anything.

IRL: I wasn't sure the car would miss the curb while turning, so I took the wheel...

= *potentially* catastrophic intervention?

All I know is that I'm on my second Tesla Model three and currently using the third 30-day free trial and don't see anything like that happening. Maybe for city driving the mileage between events where the driver takes back control is in that range, that I can believe because the car doesn't do as well in confined quarter.

Or maybe drivers still aren't trusting. But "catastrophic interventions" is a subjective and nonscientific term unless your source includes the details of the study or survey including the definition of this term.

Thanks.

[Bluetus]

40. Absolutely. Yes.

"I wasn't sure the car would miss the curb while turning, so I took the wheel... = *potentially* catastrophic intervention?"

Yes, if you are a pedestrian, a cyclist, or person in a wheelchair, but Musk just doesn't care about people like that. And he aims to unleash this garbage on the public without any repercussions at all.

[BannonsLiver]

41. Gotta love the fact any time Tesla comes up

It brings all the T-bros to the yard. I think a lot of them admire and like Eloon on the DL.

[WarGamer]

44. Some people are simply able to appreciate things like Tesla and SpaceX without appreciating the Clown CEO

X is different because Musk clearly uses that as a personal and political weapon...

But Tesla and SpaceX run independent of Musk with little direct influence.

[WarGamer]

43. MISLEADING DATA...

Probably more related to the drivers...

Use logic... if Teslas are clearly crash tested at the top of the list... that leaves the drivers.

Tesla Model Y 2024 scores near-perfect in IIHS’ crash tests

https://electrek.co/2024/02/27/tesla-model-y-2024-scores-near-perfect-iihs-crash-tests/

Tesla Model 3 aces tricky safety test in China

https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-3-aces-safety-tests-china-video/

Electric Honda, Acura SUVs Less Safe Than Tesla's, Rivian's: IIHS

https://www.newsweek.com/electric-honda-acura-suvs-less-safe-teslas-rivians-iihs-1977697

[CoopersDad]

45. The OP and article don't dig deeply enough.

The Tesa Model 3 was scored safest EV by the same iSeeCars source as was used to condemn the manufacturer overall when, in fact, many other cars and trucks are less safe than the Model Y.

It may well be due to drivers' inattention while using Enhanced Autopilot or FSD.

I'm driving my second Model 3, a 2024 Dual Motor and am playing with the 30-day trial of Fully Self Driving.

https://www.iseecars.com/best-cars/best-electric-cars

[WarGamer]

48. I will also blame the regen braking... first time I drove aTesla, I hated it.

Still think it's dangerous if you're not used to it.

And two, the acceleration is such that it can be unsafe to a mediocre or worse driver.

[CoopersDad]

49. I was used to it coming from a Prius and then a Volt first.

The Tesla has settings for three levels of braking regenerative power, and once you get used to it, you rarely need to apply the brakes-- even when coming to a stop sign. Just take the foot off the accelerator and it stops at the sign (when you drive responsibly).

Same for the Pruis and the Volt, over 100,000 miles and never needed brake pads but you DID need to use the brakes!

[jmowreader]

46. That makes a lot of sense.

Problem 1: Teslas are among the heaviest cars on the road. Tesla doesn't make a car that weighs less than two tons. They're slightly lighter than a Ford F-150 pickup.

Problem 2: Teslas are very fast and very quick - there's a difference.

Add 1 and 2 together and you're looking at a lot of kinetic energy, a lot of which is going to wind up in you if you hit something hard enough.

Problem 3: A lot of Teslas are sold on the promise they drive themselves. They tell you not to go out on the road in these cars if you're not holding the steering wheel and looking through the windshield to ensure you don't rear-end a school bus or something, but you just know a bunch of people who have these are thinking they can play Candy Crush while the car drives itself.

[ThePartyThatListens]

47. Interesting.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

51. Why would any Democrat drive one of these cars