Remaining Crash Test Results for Model Year 2002 Vehicles Available on NHTSA's Web Site |
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
May 1, 2003
NHTSA 16-03
Thursday, May 1, 2003
Contact: Rae Tyson
Telephone: (202) 366-9550
The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has posted the remaining 2002 New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash test results on its website: http://www.nhtsa.gov/. NHTSA also announced that it will provide consumers with head injury data from side impact tests.
NHTSA also announced its intention to embark on a review of the current side impact rating system to determine how to best incorporate head injury information and other relevant criteria in the NCAP consumer program. Head injury data is not currently used to determine a vehicle's star rating for side impact. The agency also intends in 2003 to propose an upgrade to its side impact standards.
New 2002 ratings released for frontal impact are the Audi A4 four-door sedan, Audi A4 Avant four-door sedan, Cadillac DeVille four-door sedan, Hyundai Santa Fe 4x4 four-door utility, Ford Ranger 4x2 pickup, and the Mazda B-series 4x2 pickup.
New 2002 ratings released for side impact are the Daewoo Nubira four-door sedan, Nissan Sentra four-door sedan, Ford Explorer 4x4 four-door utility, Mercury Mountaineer 4x4 four-door utility, Mitsubishi Montero Sport 4x4 four-door utility, and the Suzuki Grand Vitara 4x4 four-door utility.
In accordance with NHTSA policy to note safety concerns that are not reflected in the star rating, today's release highlights safety concerns in six vehicles tested:
The NCAP side impact rating (one to five stars) is currently based upon the dummy's chest measurement, one of the leading causes of serious and fatal injury in these crashes. Side impact ratings will continue on this basis. However, beginning with the release of today's data, NHTSA will specifically note those vehicles that record a head injury measurement above 1000, since those scores indicate a higher likelihood of serious or fatal head injury.
Though head injuries have been measured since the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) first began side impact testing in 1997, the development of a new dummy (SID/H3) has increased confidence in the accuracy of head injury data.
A fact sheet, containing explanatory information and tables showing NCAP crash tests results for model year 2002 is available by calling the NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236. Crash test information also is available at NHTSA's website.
New Rollover Ratings and New Crash Test Results
| Make and Model | Size Class | Year | Curb Weight (lbs) | Frontal Driver | Frontal Passenger | Side Driver | Side Passenger | Rollover Star |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A4 4-DR w/Side air bags (SAB) | Medium | 2002 | 3397 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4! |
| Audi A4 Avant 4-DR. w/SAB | Medium | 2002 | 3397 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4! |
| Cadillac DeVille 4-DR. w/SAB | Heavy | 2002 | 4011 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4^ |
| Daewoo Nubira 4 DR. | Compact | 2002 | 2809 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3# | 4 |
| Ford Explorer 4-DR. 4x4 | SUV | 2002 | 4498 | 4 | 5 | 5** | 5 | 3 |
| Ford Ranger 2DR. 4x2 | Pickup | 2002 | 3111 | 4 | 4 | 5 | Not Tested | 3 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe 4-DR. 4x4 | SUV | 2002 | 3902 | 5 | 4* | 5 | Not Tested | 3 |
| Mazda Truck 2DR. 4x2 | Pickup | 2002 | 3111 | 4 | 4 | 5 | Not Tested | 3 |
| Mercury Mountaineer 4-DR. 4x4 | SUV | 2002 | 4498 | 4 | 5 | 5** | 5 | 3 |
| Mitsubishi Montero Sport 4-DR. 4x4 | SUV | 2002 | 4180 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5# | 2 |
| Nissan Sentra 4-DR. | Compact | 2002 | 2762 | 4 | 4 | 2 | Not Tested | 4 |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara 4-DR. 4x4 | SUV | 2002 | 3005 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5# | 3 |
# Higher Likelihood of Head Injury
* High Likelihood of Thigh Injury
** Door Unlatched
^ Electronic Stability Control Available
! Electronic Stability Control Standard
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