Top 10 Most Dangerous Cars Ever Built
Today, new car designs undergo repeated and thorough testing to ensure they’re as safe as possible before entering the market. Sadly, that isn’t always enough to prevent tragedies. We’ve compiled a list of ten of the most dangerous cars ever built.
Ford Pinto (1971-1980)
Perhaps the most infamously dangerous American car, the Ford Pinto had a very significant design flaw that led to a recall in 1978. The vehicle’s fuel tank was located near the rear bumper. A slight fender bender or rear impact would cause the car to burst into flames.
Chevrolet Corvair (1960 – 1963)
The Chevrolet Corvair, featured in Ralph Nader’s book Unsafe at Any Speed, had a rear-mounted engine that sometimes released toxic fumes into the car’s cabin. The rear axles also had a propensity to swing out mid-turn. These dangers, coupled with the negative press from Nader, led to Chevrolet discontinuing the Corvair in 1969.
1985 Yugo GV
The lifespan of this Serbian vehicle was around 50,000 miles, and the construction was so poor that simply driving the car would cause parts to fall off due to the vibrations. Front-end crashes would typically force the front bumper and engine into the front seats.
2009 Kia Rio
This model of the Rio is identified as very dangerous due to its susceptibility for lethal damage when struck from the rear.
DeLorean DMC-12
The DeLorean may very well be one of them most recognizable cares in American history thanks to its appearance in the Back to the Future movies. Its notable “bat-wing” doors, however, were a major safety issue. In the event of a rollover, the doors became impossible to open from the inside. Passengers were trapped until rescue crews arrived on scene.
BMW Isetta
The Isetta was an attempt to make an affordable car. Unfortunately, it was discontinued before it could meet most safety regulations. This strange vehicle had a front-mounted passenger door, and in the event of a front-end collision, this was all the protection passengers had. It was also the only door on the vehicle, and it sometimes trapped the occupants inside when damaged.
1991 Ford Explorer
The 1991 Ford Explorer is an example of different manufacturers colliding. This Explorer model gained a reputation for rolling over. It turned out to be a faulty design that affected the tires, which would tear away at the tread when driving at moderate speeds and cause a blowout.
Ferrari 458 Italia
One of the most beautiful of Ferrari’s family of high-end sports cars, the 458 Italia exploded at high speeds due to a special adhesive used in the rear wheel arches. The adhesive would combust and become deformed by the resulting flames. It would then cause an explosion after making contact with the exhaust manifold. Ferrari fixed this issue by swapping out the flammable adhesive for traditional rivets.
Briggs & Stratton Flyer
One of the earliest American motor vehicles offered from 1915 until 1925, the Briggs & Stratton Flyer is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most inexpensive car ever built. The 1922 Red Bug model was listed at $125 – $150 dollars. Closer to golf carts than actual cars, they had no doors, windshields, or outer chassis. They were primarily constructed from wood.
Chevrolet Corvette
Corvettes are notorious for speed-related deaths and have caused more vehicle fatalities than any other automobile in history. The Corvette seems to attract drivers that want speed, and this car’s power and aerodynamic design turn it into a deadly force when improperly handled.
Regardless of make, model, or size, any car can cause a serious accident if it was manufactured poorly or handled improperly. If you have questions about a recent car accident, reach out to the Liljegren Law Group. Manufacturers of hazardous vehicles and unsafe drivers who put others at risk should be held accountable for their actions.
If you were involved in a car accident and have any questions regarding a possible lawsuit, contact us to schedule a free case evaluations, our injury lawyers have offices in San Diego, Temecula and Escondido.