Five minivan models get top marks in safety - CSV's not among them

[Ming]

Five minivan models get top marks in safety
Associated Press
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...9/?hub=SciTech



WASHINGTON — Two General Motors vehicles, the Chevrolet Astro and the GMC Safari, fared the worst in government crash tests of minivans, according to results released Friday.

Five models earned the top rating of five stars in both frontal and side-impact tests: Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Kia Sedona, Mazda MPV and Nissan Quest. Five stars mean there is a 10 percent chance or less of serious injury.

None of the models studied scored less than four stars in side-impact tests, which are conducted at 38.5 mph. Four stars translate to an 11 percent to 20 percent chance of serious injury. GM spokesman Alan Adler said the Astro and Safari met federal safety standards and noted that the tests were conducted in 1999.

NHTSA conducts tests only when vehicles are new or significantly upgraded. The vehicles, which have not had any major structural changes since they were first introduced in 1983, are going out of production in May.

"This is a vehicle that, obviously, when it was designed a lot of these tests were very new or hadn't been conducted," Adler said.

For rollover tests, NHTSA found the E-150 had a 29.5 percent chance of rollover, well ahead of other vehicles tested in the same category. Ford spokeswoman Carolyn Brown defended the safety record of the E-150, and said it was only one of two vans tested.

"Ford's analysis of substantial government data clearly demonstrates that the safety of these kinds of vehicles is comparable with other vehicles in a wide range of conditions," Brown said.

Among side-impact tests, the Honda Odyssey received five stars, but the government noted that the driver's door became unlatched during the side crash test, increasing the likelihood of occupant ejection.

Honda spokesman Andy Boyd said the unlatching had never happened during the company's testing and the company was investigating why it had happened. Boyd said the company does not consider it a safety concern as long as occupants wear seat belts.

GM initiated a recall of 25,766 Chevrolet Uplanders, Saturn Relays and Pontiac Montanas after manufacturer side-impact testing of an earlier version of the Uplander showed the release handle of the second-row bucket seat may become unlatched, increasing the potential for injury.

Adler said the company has placed a cap where the handle was located in an effort to fix the problem. Owners will be notified of the recall during the first week of April.

Full Article Here: http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...9/?hub=SciTech

[AndrewGS]

Suprise!

[Rex Raider]

It's sad that Kia can build a 5-star van, and GM can not.

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by Rex Raider

It's sad that Kia can build a 5-star van, and GM can not.

Yeah, and the new one that is due soon is even better.

[turbotoad]

"Among side-impact tests, the Honda Odyssey received five stars, but the government noted that the driver's door became unlatched during the side crash test, increasing the likelihood of occupant ejection."

Doesn't that statement strike anyone as kind of strange? The drivers door came unlatched.........increasing the likelihood of occupant ejection!!!

And they still give the Honda 5-stars?!!?!!?

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by turbotoad

"Among side-impact tests, the Honda Odyssey received five stars, but the government noted that the driver's door became unlatched during the side crash test, increasing the likelihood of occupant ejection."

Doesn't that statement strike anyone as kind of strange? The drivers door came unlatched.........increasing the likelihood of occupant ejection!!!

And they still give the Honda 5-stars?!!?!!?

".....but best of all, it's a Honda"

[BigAls87Z28]

ahahahaha....
I seriously laugh uncontrolably when the Ridgeline commercial comes on.
Ejection eh? I guess it ears 5 starts because you are now no longer inside the car, so the chances of you getting hurt INSIDE the van are very slim!!

[Kar Krazie]

Gm needs to seriously improve on their safety. It kills me to see them fall behind in this huge department.

[Sgt Beavis]

Is this really any surprise to any of us? The CSV's were a joke the moment they were rolled out at the car shows. I mean, honestly, would you buy one?

[stormwatcher]

The CSVs did well in the safety tests, as good as the Toyota Sienna. 5 stars for every crash test except one test, where they received 4 stars.

NHSTA Results: http://************/5c3yz

[jokuvaan]

If GM would be smart it would put Saab engineers in charge of safety design.

[1BadPig]

Originally Posted by jokuvaan

If GM would be smart it would put Saab engineers in charge of safety design.

Absolutely! We traded our 2001 Olds Silhouette (precurssor to the CSVs) for a 2005 Saab 9³... despite it being brand new, the insurance was only about $30 more than the Olds. GM has to get serious about a lot of things, i.e., designing, engineering, manufacturing, sales and marketing, and labor relations. The last part UAW has to wake up and recognize that they are jepordizing their future by their outdated ways and thinkings.

[69nova]

So, the door opens and the kiddies fly out. The mechanic changes the oil filter and the car catches on fire. And the Odyssey still gets a 5-star rating? Bullsh--!

[Ming]

Originally Posted by 69nova

So, the door opens and the kiddies fly out. The mechanic changes the oil filter and the car catches on fire. And the Odyssey still gets a 5-star rating? Bullsh--!

Don't forget the almost annual transmission failures "replaced under warranty".

[Slack]

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

".....but best of all, it's a Honda"

Those Ridgeline commercials slay me. Almost sounds like a quote C&D or Popular Mechanics. Seriously though, Honda will find a cure for every ailment known to man. So, if you get ejected from your flaming Odessy, they can magincally cure your burns, scrapes, lacerations, broken bonens, and internal injuries. After all, its Honda.