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Tesla Again Has The Highest Accident Rate Of Any Auto Brand
Tesla's Autopilot system promises to revolutionize road safety through advanced driver assistance technology. However, recent studies and federal investigations reveal concerning patterns that challenge the company's safety claims. Multiple data sources now point to Tesla vehicles having the highest accident rates among all automotive brands, raising critical questions about both the technology and driver behavior.
If you've been involved in an accident with a Tesla or any vehicle equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, consulting with a car accident lawyer in Pasadena can help you understand your legal options and protect your rights.
The Numbers Tell a Troubling Story
Tesla drivers had 36.94 incidents (accidents, DUIs, speeding and citations) per 1,000 drivers from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024 — up significantly from 31.13 in our late 2023 analysis, according to a comprehensive LendingTree study. This places Tesla at the top of the list for the worst driver incidents among all automotive brands.
Even more alarming, 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, as reported by iSeeCars using U.S. Fatality Analysis Reporting System data.
The Tesla Model Y, despite being the world's best-selling electric vehicle, shows particularly concerning statistics with a fatal crash rate of 10.6, nearly four times the average.
Tesla's Own Data: A Mixed Picture
Tesla regularly publishes its own safety reports, which present a more favorable view of Autopilot performance. In the 1st quarter, we recorded one crash for every 7.44 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology. For drivers who were not using Autopilot technology, we recorded one crash for every 1.51 million miles driven, according to Tesla's Q1 2025 safety report.
However, critics argue these statistics mislead the public. The reports don't specify the severity of the crashes, whether they were fatal or non-fatal, whether driver or vehicle error was to blame, or the driving conditions involved. Additionally, Tesla's own data confirms that Autopilot safety has regressed so far in 2025, with shorter distances between accidents compared to previous years.
Federal Investigations Mount
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) continues to scrutinize Tesla's autonomous driving systems. As of October 2024, there have been hundreds of nonfatal incidents involving Autopilot and fifty-nine reported fatalities, fifty-one of which NHTSA investigations or expert testimony later verified.
In October 2024, NHTSA opened a new investigation covering an estimated 2.4 million Tesla vehicles over the safety of the company's Full Self-Driving technology. This probe focuses on issues with its "Full Self-Driving" systems, and whether they are safe to use in fog, glaring sun or other "reduced roadway visibility conditions".
The investigation follows an incident in which a Tesla driver who had been using FSD, struck and killed a pedestrian, and other FSD-involved collisions during reduced roadway visibility conditions.
The Recall That Wasn't Enough
In December 2023, Tesla issued the largest recall in automotive history, affecting 2 million vehicles equipped with Autopilot. However, NHTSA said it is now reviewing whether Tesla's fixes during the December recall of 2 million vehicles went far enough. Investigators disclosed 20 crashes of vehicles that received updates as part of the recall.
The recall remedy primarily consisted of additional alerts and warnings rather than fundamental changes to the system's capabilities. The company did not limit where the system could operate, which experts at the time said would have been a better fix.
For accident victims dealing with the complexities of incidents involving advanced driver assistance systems, seeking guidance from a Pasadena car accident lawyer becomes essential to navigate both the legal and technical aspects of these cases.
Why Tesla's Technology Struggles
Several factors contribute to Tesla's higher accident rates. Critics have said that Tesla's system, which uses only cameras to spot hazards, doesn't have proper sensors to be fully self driving. Nearly all other companies working on autonomous vehicles use radar and laser sensors in addition to cameras to see better in the dark or poor visibility conditions.
The recent NHTSA investigations specifically target crashes that occurred in "reduced roadway visibility" that "arose from conditions such as sun glare, fog, or airborne dust" while the vehicles' FSD mode was engaged.
Driver Behavior vs. Technology
Experts emphasize that Tesla's safety problems stem from both technological limitations and driver behavior. "The models on this list likely reflect a combination of driver behavior and driving conditions, leading to increased crashes and fatalities," iSeeCars executive analyst Karl Brauer said in the report.
It's that Tesla drivers, perhaps convinced by the company's marketing, are leaning too much on the tech, and using it in situations where they ought to be paying more attention. The company's aggressive marketing of "Full Self-Driving" capabilities may contribute to driver overconfidence in the system's abilities.
The Marketing Problem
Tesla's marketing terminology creates additional safety concerns. NHTSA said the very name Autopilot was problematic: "This terminology may lead drivers to believe that the automation has greater capabilities than it does and invite drivers to overly trust the automation".
Despite the advanced branding, "The currently enabled Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (Supervised) features require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous," according to Tesla's website.
Looking Forward: What This Means for Safety
Tesla's situation highlights the broader challenges facing the automotive industry as it transitions to autonomous driving technology. While many of the vehicles on the fatality list (including the Tesla Model Y) perform admirably in crash tests, offering excellent ratings, the real-world data tells a different story.
The discrepancy between crash test performance and actual road safety statistics suggests that technological advancement alone doesn't guarantee improved safety outcomes. Driver education, appropriate system limitations, and realistic marketing about current capabilities remain crucial factors in reducing accidents.
Conclusion
Tesla's Autopilot system represents both the promise and perils of autonomous driving technology. While the company's internal data suggests improvements in certain scenarios, independent studies consistently show Tesla drivers experience higher accident rates than those of other brands. Federal investigations continue to reveal safety deficiencies in critical driving conditions.
As the automotive industry moves toward greater automation, Tesla's experience serves as a cautionary tale about the gap between marketing promises and technological reality. Until these systems can reliably handle all driving conditions without human intervention, the responsibility for safety ultimately remains with the driver behind the wheel.
For anyone involved in an accident with a Tesla or other advanced driver assistance system, understanding your legal rights and the technical complexities involved becomes crucial for seeking appropriate compensation and justice.