1 mistake in 109 years does not seem too bad. Is there data to compare with other auto manufacturers?
Edit: I take back the Vega. While that was an awful car, I was actually thinking of the Ford Pinto.
Turns out a lot of cars from that era had the same problem, and in general subcompact cars of the time were rather dangerous.
The famous cost benefit analysis memo was also misquoted, and taken out of context.
Economy sub-compact cars always have, and always will, meet exactly the minimum safety requirements put forth by the government. That is the entire point of an economy car, to make the cheapest car legally possible.
Want safety without regard for price? Drive a Volvo.