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Subaru Crosstrek, WRX, WRX STI, Impreza accidents
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By Denis Flierl Mar 8 2021 - 7:35am

10 Car Models With The Most Accidents - Subaru Now Has Three Of The Top 5

An updated report from Insurify reveals the 10 cars with the most accidents. The Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru WRX, and Subaru WRX STI, and now Impreza are in the top 5 models.
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Crosstrek Sport
Subaru Crosstrek Sport
2021 Crosstrek
2021 Subaru Crosstrek

Which cars have the most accidents? In 2019, Insurify came out with the Top 10 car models with the highest number of prior at-fault accidents. Last year, the Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUV was the number one car model involved in the most accidents. The sport-tuned Subaru WRX and performance-tuned STI were number five on the list.

In this year's study, the Subaru Crosstrek, Subaru WRX and WRX STI, and Subaru Impreza are in the top five cars with the most at-fault accidents. The Subaru Crosstrek, number one last year, drops a spot and has the second most accidents. The Subaru WRX and STI move up to the number three spot. The Subaru Impreza now makes the list and is number five with the most accidents.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek, WRX, WRX STI, Impreza accidents

The national average is 17.81 percent of all models on the road with at least one prior accident. The percentage of Subaru Crosstreks with a previous accident is the second-highest of any car at 25.88 percent. That's 32 percent higher than the national average. Younger drivers buy the Crosstrek small SUV, who is likely to take more risks.

Many Crosstrek owners take risks mountain biking, mountain climbing, and snowboarding. It isn't easy to separate from the excitement of the sport while driving home from the adventure. But it's surprising the Crosstrek is involved in more at-fault accidents than the WRX and STI, which are bred for speed.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek, WRX, WRX STI, Impreza accidents

Insurify does not separate the Subaru WRX and higher-performance STI but says the performance sports car moves up to number three on the new list. Subaru WRX's percentage with a prior accident is slightly less than Crosstrek at 25.82, up from last year's 24.9 percent. The WRX and STI are also driven by a younger demographic who buy sports cars for their performance and driving dynamics.

It's not a surprise WRX owners have the most speeding tickets. In another report from Insurify updated in 2020, the Subaru WRX has the highest percentage of drivers with a speeding violation at 20.12 percent. Check out the report here.

2021 Subaru Crosstrek, WRX, WRX STI, Impreza accidents

The Subaru Impreza compact sedan and 5-Door hatchback models make the list for the first time. Insurify says Impreza is now number five on the list, with 25.20 percent of Impreza drivers with a prior at-fault accident.

Insurify Top 10 Car Models with the Most Accidents
1. Infiniti Q50 - 26.25%
2. Subaru Crosstrek - 25.88%
3. Subaru WRX -25.82%
4. Hyundai Elantra GT - 25.36%
5. Subaru Impreza - 25.20%
6. Toyota Prius C - 24.65%
7. Honda HR-V - 24.57%
8. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited - 24.46%
9. Mazda3 - 24.37%
10. Hyundai Veloster - 24.30%

Customers who buy a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. 2021 Subaru WRX or WRX STI, or 2021 Subaru Impreza are the top five cars involved in the most accidents. Many are purchased by a younger demographic with active lifestyles and likely to take more risks than other drivers.

You Might Also Like: Who makes the longest-lasting cars? Check out the new 2021 rankings and see which car brands and vehicles are the best. Where does Subaru rank?

Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Comments

dana hood wrote on March 8, 2021 - 2:57pm
We drove up to Potsdam NY to drop my daughter off at school during a decent snowstorm in Mid January. During the 7 hour round trip drive, we saw 7 vehicles off the road. Ready for this, 5 of them were Subaru Cross Treks.. I think it's because the wheelbase is so short (it's almost wider then longer) and the moment of rotation is instantaneous, combine that with young drivers and all season (I mean no-season) tires, add speed and and snow and there's your disaster. I've had subys for years, all wagons with hakka's and this rotation thing is almost impossible to have happen.
Christopher Wright wrote on March 9, 2021 - 11:35am
I've got one and also a suburban. It's a great car that I drive up to the mountain 3 days a week. Of course I grew up and learned to drive in Buffalo, NY when most cars were one wheel drive for the most part. Wonder what Potsdam drives?
Paul wrote on March 14, 2021 - 10:53pm
Those hakkapalitta's are the best snow tires on the planet and are the equivalent in snow as summer sport tires are to pavement! Those Fin's know what they're doing!!
Jsmith wrote on March 8, 2021 - 9:33pm
Wierd...a car with just enough power to move and a transmission so weak. Maybe those are just kids going and think that AWD is impervious to skids and loss of control..
pelly wrote on March 9, 2021 - 4:44am
Don't hate, dear keyboard warrior. If you had issues learning to drive manual cars, don't blame the tranny.
Pascal wrote on March 9, 2021 - 11:47am
Dear pelly, I believe you're off the mark, keyboard warrior was most certainly referring to Crosstrek's weak sauce LCVT paired up with its equally depressing FB20. It's hard to believe that some people manage to lose control of something so tame, docile and innofensive :-)
JGinNJ wrote on March 9, 2021 - 10:49am
Could it have something to do with the fact that these cars are more popular in places with snow? Subarus (outside of the WRX models) are known to be underpowered, especially the original Crosstek. Does that contribute to accidents? Are these statistics about the cars or really about those who buy the cars? Will my insurance company in Florida charge me more if I buy a Crosstek, even if I am old? Do cars that are driven where the days are shorter in the winter have more accidents? Do cars that are overloaded with people and their stuff have more accidents?
Christopher Wright wrote on March 9, 2021 - 11:33am
I have one and drive up to the mountain three times a week. Never had a problem. Of course I grew up in Buffalo, NY in the day of one wheel drive. Regarding the short wheel base; it is great. I also have a suburban with a very long wheelbase Potsdam. Once it's 7800 pounds start to spin there is no coming back. So what does Potsdam drive?
Kelly wrote on March 9, 2021 - 1:24pm
How else would Subaru be able to run ads with people surviving their 5th accident in a Subaru?
dmc wrote on March 9, 2021 - 2:03pm
We have had 4 Subaru's since the late 90's from Imrpezas to a Legacy and the Crosstek is not what Subaru use to be. The CVT is horrendous and the lack of power is laughable, we wanted to put a bumper sticker on it to let people know that the pedal is to the floor when going up a Pass. The AWD dynamics don't work unless you disable traction control. Living in Colorado previous cars we owned had no issue with driving in snow with good all seasons but the Crosstrek requires winter tires and to 'disable' traction control to try and act like our older Subaru models driving in the snow. We hated this car and traded it in for a VW Alltrack which had more power to go up a pass or actually pass a car, space and a stereo that would actually pair to your phone and work as well a. I loved Subaru but they are dead to me until they figure out who they are and not just spit out horrible cars. I don't blame the accidents on youth but actually the car its self. Do not buy this car for a new driver it is not safe as first hand user and now statistical proof. The Crosstrek did amazing in 20 inches of snow with Blizzak tires though but horrible down hill because of the transmission that pretends to be a transmission with false upshifts and downshift. You shouldn't be able to downhill in first gear at 50+mph might as well have it in neutral.
Mac wrote on March 9, 2021 - 2:03pm
It's easy to figure out. Subarus always get 5 star crash test ratings. Crosstrek is cheap and not as capable as it seems. Bad drivers want a safe car, probably a cheap one too and if they think the crosstrek is a real off road vehicle or just a capable car then it's a recipe for disaster. Bad driver + extra avg and cheap car + mistaken confidence = a ton of accidents
Mac wrote on March 9, 2021 - 2:09pm
It's easy to figure out. Subarus always get 5 star crash test ratings. Crosstrek is cheap and not as capable as it seems. Bad drivers want a safe car, probably a cheap one too and if they think the crosstrek is a real off road vehicle or just a capable car then it's a recipe for disaster. Bad driver + extra avg and cheap car + mistaken confidence = a ton of accidents
Jeffrey R Prince wrote on March 9, 2021 - 2:51pm
No need to analyze so much, it's simple. Subaru drivers are douchebags that cause wrecks
Brian Roberts wrote on March 9, 2021 - 5:12pm
What's the deal with these Subaru takedown? Seems like a paid hit job by jealous competitors.
dana wrote on March 10, 2021 - 7:25am
Brian, no takedown. I'm from VT, suby's are the unofficial state car. first one was in the 80's. then had a 90 loyale, a DL in there somewhere, and we have 3 in the driveway today. my wife just sent me a note saying she almost got in an accident this morning when a guy ran a red light. she always looks both way b4 proceeding at green lights. if something ugly was going to happen, I'm glad she was in a '18 legacy.. I just gave our daughter a 2007 3.0 outback llbean wagon with 180k and it purrs like brand new.... something will come out about the crosstrek at some point, not sure what it will be. I do know I don't beat on subys with CVT's after taking one a part and looking at it.. There is NO way that design can handle high power, I'm amazed it even works the way it does, but it does...
Dumluk wrote on March 11, 2021 - 6:42am
Clearly this list is faulty.. I don't see the Ford Mustang in the top 10.
Ceph wrote on March 11, 2021 - 9:38am
in the UK insuring aVolkswagen GTI is crazy expensive because so many kids wreck them
Carl S wrote on March 11, 2021 - 1:27pm
I still own my 02 WRX, it's never been in a wreck. I've owned it for literally half my life. I'm currently driving a new 21 Crosstrek, has lass than 4K miles on it. I've had no issues in the snow in the mountains in Colorado.
Michael Tichonuk wrote on March 12, 2021 - 6:29am
There is no such thing as an "accident" . It's a series of poor decisions resulting in a catastrophic event. I read no mention of snow but of speeding. I observe this selfish and disrespectful behavior of others safety played out in Atlanta constantly. Decades of being a auto tech ( and a former Subaru owner) the denial owners have demonstrated is alarming. Blame the machine or anything or one for their....defective attitudes and behavior. I've learned to fix CAUSE not waste resources on symptoms. Cell phone use while driving, speeding ...these are people problems. I can't fix that. It's above my pay grade. Excuse me while I go check on my firearm to make sure it hasn't run off and killed any one.
Michael Tichonuk wrote on March 12, 2021 - 6:30am
There is no such thing as an "accident" . It's a series of poor decisions resulting in a catastrophic event. I read no mention of snow but of speeding. I observe this selfish and disrespectful behavior of others safety played out in Atlanta constantly. Decades of being a auto tech ( and a former Subaru owner) the denial owners have demonstrated is alarming. Blame the machine or anything or one for their....defective attitudes and behavior. I've learned to fix CAUSE not waste resources on symptoms. Cell phone use while driving, speeding ...these are people problems. I can't fix that. It's above my pay grade. Excuse me while I go check on my firearm to make sure it hasn't run off and killed any one.
Dana R Hood wrote on March 12, 2021 - 9:33am
I like your response but I need to 'adjust' a couple of your statements. There is NO cell service in this section of the Adirondacks, that wasn't it. Lots of frozen snow on the road and blowing about 30mph.. I love driving in this stuff, constant adjustment and just fun driving.. Here's where I think we part in our thinking. I'm wondering if those crosstrek drivers would have stayed out of the snowbanks had they behaved the same way in a different vehicle? that's what we are trying to figure out.. mindset-->behavior-->competency--> outcome.. Mindsets are hard to change, but putting the same person in different car that feels the same/different (say a legacy) , do they behave the same, resulting in a different outcome, in this case, they stay on the road? If the answer is yes, then the vehicle had some component of behaving differently. I deal with cause/effect all day at work, and you're pointing us to cause, so hats off there. In your gun analogy, I think it's more like a smith and wesson might have a better safety and will never discharge accidentally while a Remington might have some funky new safety system that might have issues when it's cold or something.. I agree people kill, not cars and guns but there's an interface 'grey area' in the middle, that's what this story is trying to figure out..
Michael Tichonuk wrote on March 12, 2021 - 8:26pm
I appreciate your response! Green Mountain Boy here...in my youth anyway... You made me think of muscle memory. I have a 4.5 ' retaining wall I used to leap up on walking my dog. I haven't jumped up on it in maybe ..6 years.( not riding my mtb now at 65+) so I know im.outya shape and it would lead to injury. Yet my muscle memory says I can as I have never failed to before. I never raced a customer's car as I knew I wasn't familiar with its handling capabilities or limitations. You drive snowy roads with a familiar vehicle, I assume, so you have that in your muscle memory and know it's limitations and your skills .. It would be interesting to see how this could be researched some how. Muscle memory vs expected performance and conditions....I was just recalling when I was working at Killington and.lived in Sherburn Pass Vt. A girl was giving me a ride back to my cabin in the Pass in a snow storm with her Escort, she had issues with traction going up the Pass, very steep and long grade. I jumped onto hood to apply more weight for traction and it worked. I was standing and acting like I was driving a mule team holler'n years mules.yaaw....ahhh...the Exuberance of youth...again, thanks for your response and triggering so many memories...
Dana R Hood wrote on March 13, 2021 - 9:07am
Hey Mike, liked the hood story, being a hood myself.. Hey, I was at Killington on Thursday, I live in Niskayuna NY. It was almost 70 degrees, spring corn to be had everywhere, hardly a soul there. I'm from Williston (fam moved to VT in 1721), mostly a sugabush, store jay guy.... First date with my future wife, December '89, i had an old rear wheel drive 2002 that has to get up the long hill at jay from the south, didn't have to make her get on the hood, but we crested on 1st attempt going slower than you could walk... Back to your theory, pressure per square inch on the front is the number one key metric and those crosstreks have fat tires for their size. I used to put sandbags in the back of my 2002, maybe crosstrek owners might have to hang them off the front, I think your on to something, there floating down the road...
Jason wrote on March 13, 2021 - 4:15am
"Those that can't drive, drive Subaru."
Daniel Lee wrote on March 14, 2021 - 11:41am
I had new Subaru Outback. I was on a stop, then suddenly car started moving forward even my foot on a brake, car rolled down for couple of seconds ended up hittingcar in front. Very unreliable car manufacturer...
Anthony Burrell wrote on March 15, 2021 - 1:22pm
I understand the WRX in the mix. Just a basic economy car with too much horsepower. And younger drivers love to modify and then drive it like they stole it.
Tommy wrote on March 15, 2021 - 8:17pm
I like subaru cars, and the conclusion drawn here is too weird to me, so i actually read the Insurify article. To sum up they looked at tons of insurance applications data, and they looked at people who have had at fault car accidents in the past, and noted what cars they are driving. This is not necessarily drawing the conclusion that these cars cause more accidents, but rather that people who have had at fault accidents tend to pick these cars after their accidents(be it the car is safer, insurance is cheaper, or that it agrees with their life styles). The article itself noted that cars that represent both safe and cheap tend to consistently make the list. The fact about WRX getting more speeding tickets is a good indication that they tend to cause more accidents as there are correlations between speeding and accidents as well as the severity of accidents. If you think I'm biased then you can take a crack at the article yourself it is easy to find, they have a methodology section that explains how they got and processed their data.
Jmauck wrote on March 15, 2021 - 10:04pm
Easy. Bunch of rich kids get their parents to buy them a wrx cause they played them a video game. Go out and drive them like they did in the video game and can't find the left arrow fast enough. Look mommy I'm a race car driver!
Thomas Bowers wrote on February 27, 2022 - 6:47am
The article is just ok and not really over the top. Thanks. This article should contain more vehicle types and models content. There is not enough information to make any sound decision about any vehicle here either. The authors should have done broad categorization based on the vehicle type: truck, sedan, SUV, vans and size but failed to do so. The authors made the article utterly ridiculous fashioned to their opinion. Although informative the article is not very useful except maybe a kind thanks and pat on your ass!