Tesla has topped the list of car brands with the highest fatal accident rates in America. According to a new study by iSeeCars, data from the U.S. Fatality Analysis Reporting System indicates Tesla vehicles had a fatal crash rate of 5.6 fatalities per billion miles driven, higher than the U.S. average of 2.8. Kia and Buick followed with rates of 5.5 and 4.8, respectively. The study focused on model year 2018–2022 vehicles involved in occupant-fatality crashes between 2017 and 2022, and revealed that individual Tesla models also ranked among the highest in fatal crash rates. The Tesla Model S had a rate of 5.8, more than double the national average. At the same time, the Tesla Model Y—the world’s best-selling vehicle—recorded a striking 10.6 fatalities per billion vehicle miles, nearly four times the average. The Model Y ranked as the sixth worst vehicle overall, with the Hyundai Venue taking the top spot at 13.9. The findings are contrasted with Tesla’s reputation for advanced safety features—the 2024 Model Y recently earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), while other Tesla vehicles have also received high marks from safety organizations. This apparent contradiction suggests that the high fatal crash rates are not directly linked to vehicle design or engineering flaws, but could be tied to driver behavior or road conditions. Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.