Most small pickups get 'dismal' ratings in IIHS side tests
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`IIHS News | July 24, 2008
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`FIRST INSTITUTE SIDE TESTS OF SMALL PICKUPS
`Toyota rates good, but results for others are 'dismal' and key
`safety feature isn't standard on most models
`
`More information
`
`Small pickups skimp on protection,
`disappointing side tests reveal
`Status Report, Vol. 43, No. 6
`
`Small pickup crash test ratings
`July 24, 2008
`
`Media contact
`Russ Rader
`Senior Vice President, Communications
`rrader@iihs.org
`office +1 703 247 1530
`mobile +1 202 257 3591
`For more information, visit our press room.
`
`The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an
`independent, nonprofit scientific and educational
`organization dedicated to reducing the losses —
`deaths, injuries and property damage — from
`crashes on the nation's roads.
`
`The Highway Loss Data Institute shares and
`supports this mission through scientific studies of
`insurance data representing the human and
`economic losses resulting from the ownership and
`operation of different types of vehicles and by
`publishing insurance loss results by vehicle make
`and model.
`
`Both organizations are wholly supported by auto
`insurers.
`
`IPR 2016-01790
`American Vehicular Sciences
`Exhibit 2036
`
`ARLINGTON, Va. — Small pickups aren't providing as much protection in side crashes as
`many new cars and SUVs. The Toyota Tacoma was the only one of five small pickup trucks,
`all 2008 models, to earn the highest rating of good for occupant protection in recent side crash
`tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Dodge Dakota, Ford
`Ranger, and Nissan Frontier are rated marginal, and the Chevrolet Colorado is rated poor in
`the side test, which simulates a side impact from an SUV or another pickup.
`
`"More people may be looking at small pickups because of rising gas prices," says Institute
`president Adrian Lund. "Unfortunately, they won't find many that afford state-of-the-art crash
`protection. Most earn dismal ratings for protecting people in side crashes, and all but the
`Tacoma and Frontier lack electronic stability control, which is a key feature in preventing
`crashes. Until they improve, most small pickups aren't good choices for people looking for safe
`transportation."
`
`Tacoma earns the only good rating in side test
`Performance in side tests is important because side impacts are the second most common
`type of fatal crash, killing nearly 9,000 occupants in 2006. The Tacoma's side airbags did a
`good job of reducing forces on the driver dummy and the passenger dummy in the back seat
`in the Institute's test. The curtain-style airbag that deployed from the roof above the side
`windows protected the dummies' heads from being struck by any hard structures, and the risk
`of significant injury to the head/neck and chest was low. Measures recorded on the driver
`dummy indicate a fracture of the pelvis would be possible in a real-world crash of this severity.
`The Tacoma's structure held up reasonably well, preventing major intrusion into the occupant
`compartment.
`
`The Tacoma also is rated good for frontal crash protection, but its seat/head restraints earn the
`second lowest rating of marginal for protection against whiplash in rear-end crashes. If Toyota
`improves the Tacoma's rear crash rating, this manufacturer would have the only two pickup
`models to earn the Institute's TOP SAFETY PICK award so far. The other is Toyota's Tundra,
`a large pickup truck.
`
`The Tacoma is the only pickup in the group of small models that was tested with side airbags,
`
`http://www.iihs.org/...ews/desktopnews/first-institute-side-tests-of-small-pickups-toyota-rates-good-but-results-for-others-are-dismal-and-key-safety-feature-isnt-standard-on-most-models[5/6/2017 10:08:09 PM]
`
`

`

`Most small pickups get 'dismal' ratings in IIHS side tests
`
`which are optional in 2008 models. When side airbags are optional, the Institute's policy is to
`test a vehicle without the option. An auto manufacturer may request a second test with the
`airbags if the automaker reimburses the Institute for the cost of the vehicle. Manufacturers of
`the Dakota, Frontier, and Colorado didn't request second tests (side airbags aren't offered in
`the Ranger, even as options). The Tacoma was tested only with its optional side airbags, an
`exception to normal policy because such airbags will be standard in 2009 Tacoma pickups
`being shipped to dealers this month.
`
`"We assume the other manufacturers don't expect their vehicles to perform much better, even
`with the optional side airbags," Lund says. "In contrast, Toyota is ahead of its competitors in
`making the latest safety equipment standard on small pickups. Consumers shouldn't have to
`choose safety from an options list, and they shouldn't buy any vehicle that isn't equipped with
`side airbags and electronic stability control."
`
`In 2008 side airbags are standard in more than 65 percent of new vehicle models, and
`manufacturers have pledged to make such airbags standard across their fleets by the 2010
`model year. A federal side impact standard that essentially will require side airbags goes into
`effect in the 2015 model year.
`
`High death rates
`Small pickup trucks have the highest driver death rates of any vehicles on the road, including
`minicars. In 2006 small pickups experienced 116 driver deaths per million registered vehicles
`1-3 years old. This compares with 106 for minicars, 99 for small cars, and 42 for small SUVs.
`Part of the reason is that small pickup trucks are more likely than other passenger vehicles to
`be involved in single-vehicle crashes, especially rollovers.
`
`Electronic stability control is a feature that can help prevent crashes, but it's not available on
`many pickups. It's standard on 12 percent of 2008 pickups, and it's not available at all on 67
`percent. In contrast it's standard on 64 percent of cars and 95 percent of SUVs. The only
`pickups in this group of small models with available electronic stability control are the Tacoma
`and Frontier. Toyota has made this feature standard on the Tacoma starting with 2009 models.
`It's also standard on the 2009 Colorado and GMC Canyon.
`
`"We would expect electronic stability control to significantly reduce the single-vehicle crash risk
`in small pickups," Lund says. "It's a lifesaving feature that should be standard on all of these
`vehicles."
`
`Worst performer is the Chevrolet Colorado
`Also sold as the GMC Canyon, this model was the only one to earn the lowest rating of poor
`in the Institute's side test. The driver dummy's head was hit by the top of the Institute's moving
`barrier during the impact. Plus the side structure of the Colorado allowed a lot more intrusion
`into the occupant compartment than the other pickups.
`
`In addition to the side tests, new frontal offset crash tests were conducted for the Colorado and
`Dakota. While the Dakota earned a good rating, the Colorado is rated acceptable overall for
`occupant protection in frontal crashes. In the frontal test of the Colorado, intrusion by the tire
`and wheel into the driver footwell area combined with separation of the footwell from the
`doorsill trapped the driver dummy's left foot underneath the brake pedal. The pedal had to be
`cut off to free the foot. This entrapment resulted in a structural rating downgrade for the
`Colorado. Still, injury measures for the dummy's head, neck, and chest were low.
`
`Back jump seats of Ranger aren't safe for children
`All of the small pickup trucks the Institute recently tested, except the Ford Ranger, are crew
`cabs with bench seats in back. Instead of this, the Ranger is equipped with two side-facing
`jump seats too small for anyone but very small adults or children. This pickup's side rating of
`marginal applies only to front-seat occupants.
`
`The Institute doesn't recommend riding in jump seats. Aside from lack of space, jump seats
`just have lap belts. A study conducted by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that
`children riding in the small back seats of pickup trucks like the Ranger are about 4 times as
`likely to be injured in crashes as those in the back seats of other vehicles.
`
`How vehicles are evaluated
`The Institute's frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on results of 40 mph frontal offset
`crash tests. Each vehicle's overall evaluation is based on measurements of intrusion into the
`occupant compartment, injury measures recorded on a Hybrid III dummy in the driver seat, and
`
`http://www.iihs.org/...ews/desktopnews/first-institute-side-tests-of-small-pickups-toyota-rates-good-but-results-for-others-are-dismal-and-key-safety-feature-isnt-standard-on-most-models[5/6/2017 10:08:09 PM]
`
`

`

`Most small pickups get 'dismal' ratings in IIHS side tests
`
`analysis of slow-motion film to assess how well the restraint system controlled dummy
`movement during the test.
`
`Side evaluations are based on performance in a crash test in which the side of a vehicle is
`struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph. The barrier represents the front end of a pickup or SUV.
`Ratings reflect injury measures recorded on two instrumented SID-IIs dummies, assessment of
`head protection countermeasures, and the vehicle's structural performance during the impact.
`
`Rear crash protection is rated according to a two-step procedure. Starting points for the ratings
`are measurements of head restraint geometry — the height of a restraint and its horizontal
`distance behind the back of the head of an average-size man. Seat/head restraints with good
`or acceptable geometry are tested dynamically using a dummy that measures forces on the
`neck.
`
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`the media
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`
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`Research Center
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`
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`& funding associations
`
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`
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`
`Subscribe to news updates
`
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`
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`©1996-2017, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, 501(c)(3) organizations | Copyright information
`
`http://www.iihs.org/...ews/desktopnews/first-institute-side-tests-of-small-pickups-toyota-rates-good-but-results-for-others-are-dismal-and-key-safety-feature-isnt-standard-on-most-models[5/6/2017 10:08:09 PM]
`
`

`

`Side ratings of small pickups disappoint
`
`IIHS and HLDI
`
` logos
`
`RATINGS
`
`NEWS
`
`TOPICS
`
`VIDEO
`
`STATUS REPORT
`
`Highway safety research
`& communications
`
`Home » Status Report » 2008 » Article
`
`Status Report, Vol. 43, No. 6 | July 24, 2008
`
`Subscribe
`
`Small pickups skimp on protection, disappointing side tests
`reveal
`
`More on crash testing and
`crashworthiness
`
`Most small pickups don't provide as much protection in side-impact crashes as many new cars
`and SUVs. The Toyota Tacoma was the only 1 of 5 small pickup trucks, all 2008 models, to
`earn the highest rating of good for side protection in recent crash tests conducted by the
`Institute. The Dodge Dakota, Ford Ranger, and Nissan Frontier are rated marginal, and the
`Chevrolet Colorado is rated poor in the side test, which simulates a side impact from an SUV
`or another pickup truck.
`
`"More people may be looking at small pickups because of rising gas prices," says Institute
`president Adrian Lund. "Unfortunately, they won't find many that afford state-of-the-art crash
`protection. Most earn dismal ratings for protecting people in side crashes, and all but the
`Tacoma and Frontier lack electronic stability control, which is a key feature in preventing
`crashes. Until they improve, most small pickups aren't good choices for people looking for safe
`transportation."
`
`Tacoma earns the only good side rating
`Performance in side tests is important because side impacts are the second most common
`type of fatal crash, killing nearly 9,000 occupants in 2006. The Tacoma's side airbags did a
`good job of reducing forces on the driver dummy and the passenger dummy in the back seat
`in the Institute's test. The curtain-style airbag that deployed from the roof above the side
`windows protected the dummies' heads from being struck by any hard structures. Risk of
`significant injury to the head/neck and chest was low. Measures recorded on the driver dummy
`indicate a fracture of the pelvis would be possible in a real-world crash of this severity. The
`Tacoma's structure held up reasonably well, preventing major intrusion into the occupant
`compartment.
`
`The Tacoma also is rated good for frontal crash protection, but its seat/head restraints earn the
`second-lowest rating of marginal for protection against whiplash in rear-end crashes. If Toyota
`improves the Tacoma's rear crash rating, this manufacturer would have the only 2 pickup
`models to earn the Institute's TOP SAFETY PICK award so far. The other is the Tundra, a
`large pickup truck.
`
`The Tacoma is the only pickup in the group of small models that was tested with side airbags,
`which are optional in 2008 models. When side airbags are optional, the Institute's policy is to
`
`Small pickups may get second
`looks as truck buyers seek better
`fuel efficiency, but there's not
`much to choose from when it
`comes to protection in crashes.
`
`Crashworthiness ratings
`
`Front
`
`Side Rear
`
`G
`
`G
`
`M
`
`G
`
`M
`
`A
`
`G
`
`M
`
`P
`
`Toyota
`Tacoma
`(with
`optional
`side
`airbags)
`
`Dodge
`Dakota /
`Mitsubishi
`Raider
`(without
`optional
`side
`airbags)
`
`Nissan
`Frontier
`(without
`optional
`side
`airbags)
`
`Ford
`Ranger /
`Mazda B
`Series
`
`http://www.iihs.org/iihs/sr/statusreport/article/43/6/1[5/6/2017 10:09:55 PM]
`
`

`

`A
`
`M
`
`P
`
`A
`
`P
`
`M
`
`(side
`airbags
`not
`available)
`
`Chevrolet
`Colorado
`/ GMC
`Canyon
`(without
`optional
`side
`airbags)
`
`GOOD G ACCEPTABLE A MARGINAL M POOR P
`
`Side ratings of small pickups disappoint
`
`test a vehicle without the option. An auto manufacturer may request a second test with the
`airbags if the automaker reimburses the Institute for the cost of the vehicle. Manufacturers of
`the Dakota, Frontier, and Colorado didn't request second tests (side airbags aren't offered in
`the Ranger, even as options). The Tacoma was tested only with its optional side airbags, an
`exception to normal policy because such airbags will be standard in 2009 Tacoma pickups
`being shipped to dealers this month.
`
`"We assume the other manufacturers don't expect their vehicles to perform much better, even
`with the optional side airbags," Lund says. "In contrast, Toyota is ahead of its competitors in
`making the latest safety equipment standard on small pickups. Consumers shouldn't have to
`choose safety from an options list, and they shouldn't buy any vehicle that isn't equipped with
`side airbags and electronic stability control."
`
`In 2008 side airbags are standard in more than 65 percent of new vehicle models, and
`manufacturers have pledged to make such airbags standard across their fleets by the 2010
`model year. A federal side impact standard that essentially will require side airbags goes into
`effect in the 2015 model year.
`
`High death rates
`Small pickup trucks have the highest driver death rates of any vehicles on the road, including
`minicars. In 2006 small pickups experienced 116 driver deaths per million registered vehicles
`1-3 years old. This compares with 106 for minicars, 99 for small cars, and 42 for small SUVs.
`Part of the reason is that small pickup trucks are more likely than other passenger vehicles to
`be involved in single-vehicle crashes, especially rollovers.
`
`Electronic stability control is a feature that can help prevent crashes, but it's not available on
`many pickups. It's standard on 12 percent of 2008 pickups, and it's not available at all on 67
`percent. In contrast it's standard on 64 percent of cars and 95 percent of SUVs. The only
`pickups in this group of small models with available electronic stability control are the Tacoma
`and Frontier. Toyota has made this feature standard on the Tacoma starting with 2009 models.
`
`"We would expect electronic stability control to significantly reduce the single-vehicle crash risk
`in small pickup trucks," Lund says. "It's a lifesaving feature that should be standard on all of
`these vehicles."
`
`Colorado is worst
`Also sold as the GMC Canyon, this was the only model to earn the lowest rating of poor in the
`Institute's side test. The driver dummy's head was hit by the top of the moving barrier during
`the impact. Plus the side structure of the Colorado allowed a lot more intrusion into the
`occupant compartment than the other pickups.
`
`In addition to the side tests, new frontal offset crash tests were conducted for the Colorado and
`Dakota. While the Dakota earned a good rating, the Colorado is rated acceptable overall for
`occupant protection in frontal crashes. In the frontal test of the Colorado, intrusion by the tire
`and wheel into the driver footwell area combined with separation of the footwell from the
`doorsill trapped the driver dummy's left foot underneath the brake pedal. The pedal had to be
`cut off to free the foot. This entrapment resulted in a structural rating downgrade for the
`Colorado. Still, injury measures for the dummy's head, neck, and chest were low.
`
`Back jump seats of Ranger are not safe spots for children
`All of the tested pickups except the Ranger are crew
`cabs with bench seats in back. Instead, the Ranger
`has two side-facing jump seats too small for anyone
`but very small adults or children. This pickup's side
`rating of marginal applies only to front-seat occupants.
`The Institute doesn't recommend riding in jump seats.
`Aside from lack of space, jump seats just have lap
`belts. A Children's Hospital of Philadelphia study
`found that children riding in the small back seats of
`pickup trucks like the Ranger are about 4 times as
`likely to be injured in crashes as those in the back
`seat of other vehicles.
`
`Also in this issue
`
`Media contact
`
`http://www.iihs.org/iihs/sr/statusreport/article/43/6/1[5/6/2017 10:09:55 PM]
`
`

`

`Side ratings of small pickups disappoint
`
`Campaign cuts impaired driving
`
`NCAP upgrade doesn't go far enough
`
`Canada loosens bumper standard
`
`ACCESS MORE ISSUES
`
`Russ Rader
`Senior Vice President, Communications
`rrader@iihs.org
`office +1 703 247 1530
`mobile +1 202 257 3591
`
`For more information, visit our press room.
`
`Press room
`Broadcast-standard
`video and info for
`the media
`
`About us
`Contact us
`FAQ
`
`Our Vehicle
`Research Center
`
`Recent IIHS & HLDI
`presentations
`
`Member groups
`& funding associations
`
`Consumer safety
`brochures
`
`Help page
`
`Privacy policy
`
`Vehicle testing &
`highway safety links
`
`Subscribe to news updates
`
`Watch our channel
`
`Follow us
`
`Mobile ratings & news
`
`©1996-2017, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, 501(c)(3) organizations | Copyright information
`
`http://www.iihs.org/iihs/sr/statusreport/article/43/6/1[5/6/2017 10:09:55 PM]
`
`