When we think of cars, they assume that new models or popular brands are always safe. However, even the most commonly known cars can have their dark side. In fact, many cars over the years have had their share of defects or had some serious design problems brought to light. These can be especially dangerous for drivers and passengers alike.
Below, we look at a handful of vehicles from the recent past — some might surprise you, because we still see them on the road. This is a list of 10 cars that you might think are fine when, in fact, there’s a very real danger in driving them.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels.com.
Ford Pinto (1971-1980)
The Ford Pinto was synonymous with an unsafe design. The fuel tank of the car was placed where it could easily catch fire in a rear-end crash. Even minor accidents could lead to serious fuel leaks that would put drivers or passengers in life-threatening danger. Ford attempted to correct the issue but the damage to the car’s reputation was done.
Chevrolet Corvair (1960-1964)
The Corvair’s rear-engine design was different. This caused handling issues, especially for new drivers. That made the car extremely unstable and very likely to spin or roll over. Ralph Nader’s book ‘Unsafe at Any Speed’ exposed these safety issues. This had a major impact on the car’s reputation.
Yugo GV (1985-1992)
The Yugo GV was a cheaply manufactured car that had scores of safety concerns. It also had a reputation for breaking down all the time and was not that safe in crashes, due to its flimsy construction. In some instances, the car broke apart upon impact. This made it one of the most dangerous cars on the road at that time.
Suzuki Samurai (1985-1995)
The Suzuki Samurai had a high center of gravity. This made it prone to rollovers, especially during sharp turns. Although it was sold as an off-road car, the car’s lack of stability became a serious problem. Drivers found themselves at risk of tipping over even at low speeds.
Ford Explorer (Early 2000s)
Firestone tires became a dangerous problem for early Ford Explorers. This led to many accidents. The tires could blow out while driving, which often made the car roll over. This tire problem was the cause of many accidents and prompted a large recall. The combination of tire failure and the vehicle’s top-heavy design made it very dangerous.
Pontiac Fiero (1984-1988)
At first glance, the Pontiac Fiero looked like a cool, sporty, little car, but in actuality, its design had serious issues. Many early models were destroyed in engine fires caused by oil leaks. Even though fire concerns were largely addressed in subsequent generations of Fieros, the damage was done. The car had a reputation for going up in flames until its discontinuation.
Dodge Challenger (1970s)
The original Dodge Challenger was a speed and muscle machine. The car featured a very powerful engine that was challenging to manage, especially for those drivers with less experience. In addition, it did not have safety features like stability control or airbags. Therefore, it was a dangerous car to drive fast and accidents were common.
Jeep CJ-5 (1955-1983)
The Jeep CJ-5 was built for off-road adventures, but it wasn’t safe on regular streets. The vehicle had a high center-of-gravity and was prone to rollovers during quick turns and sudden stops. Initially, seatbelts were unavailable, which added to the risk of injury in accidents. The CJ-5’s rugged look couldn’t hide the fact that it was prone to rollovers.
Chevrolet Cobalt (2005-2010)
The ignition switch was the major defect on the Chevy Cobalt. The switch could accidentally be turned off, which would cut power to the airbags and leave the car unable to function. This defect caused many deadly accidents and the car was finally recalled.
Audi 5000 (1978-1986)
After reports of sudden, unintended acceleration, Audi sales levels fell severely. Drivers said the cars sometimes suddenly sped up and caused accidents. Later investigations suggested that driver error might have been part of the problem but the damage to the car’s image was done.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.