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Crash Test Results for Model Year 2003 Vehicles Available

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today posted its first model year 2003 NCAP crash test results on the agency's World Wide Web site: http://www.nhtsa.gov.

New model year 2003 ratings for frontal impact are provided for the Chevrolet Cavalier two-door coupe, Ford ZX2 two-door coupe, Honda Accord two-door coupe, Honda S2000 convertible, Nissan 350Z two-door coupe, Pontiac Sunfire two-door coupe, Chevrolet Silverado extended cab 4X2 pickup, GMC Sierra extended cab 4X2 pickup, Nissan Frontier four-door 4X2 pickup, Toyota Tacoma double cab 4X2 pickup, Toyota Tundra access cab 4X2 pickup and the Honda Odyssey van.

New model year 2003 ratings for side impact provided for are the Honda Accord two-door coupe, Honda S2000 convertible, Mitsubishi Eclipse two-door coupe, Nissan 350Z two-door coupe, Toyota Tacoma double cab 4X2 pickup, Chevrolet Astro 4X2 van and GMC Safari 4X2 van.

NHTSA policy is to note safety concerns that are not reflected in the rating, and today’s release includes one such safety concern. During the side impact test of the 2003 Toyota Tacoma double cab 4x2, a fuel hose was cut, allowing a significant amount of fuel spillage. Fuel spillage causes a higher likelihood of fire. Vehicles manufactured after Feb. 10, 2003 have been modified to remedy the problem.

A fact sheet containing explanatory information and tables showing NCAP crash tests results for recently released model year 2003 vehicles can be obtained by calling the NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236; or by writing to NHTSA Consumer Information, Room 5320, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590. Crash test information is available at NHTSA’s web site by clicking on "Crash Tests" under "Popular Information" in the index on the left side of the screen.


New Rollover Ratings and New Crash Test Results

Make and ModelSize
Class
Curb
Weight
(lbs)
Frontal
Driver
Frontal
Passenger
Side
Driver
Side Rear
Passenger
Rollover
Star
Chevrolet Astro 4x2Van446834553
Chevrolet Cavalier 2-DR.Compact25944412TBR
Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab 4x2Pickup457443Not TestedNot Tested4
Ford ZX2 2-DR.Compact25414414TBR
GMC Safari 4x2Van446834553
GMC Sierra Extended Cab 4x2Pickup457443Not TestedNot Tested4
Honda Accord 2-DR.Medium30775555TBR
Honda Accord 2-DR. w/Side Air BagsMedium307755Not TestedNot TestedTBR
Honda Odyssey w/Side Air BagsVan437455554
Honda S2000 ConvertibleCompact2545445 No SeatTBR
Mitsubishi Eclipse 2-DR. HatchbackCompact2948443STS5
Nissan 350Z DR.Medium3328545STSTBR
Nissan Frontier 4-DR. 4x2Pickup378044553
Pontiac Sunfire 2-DR.Compact27083412TBR
Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4x2Pickup3608445#5TBR
Toyota Tundra Access Cab 4x2Pickup4262445Not Tested3

# Fuel Leak: Higher Likelihood of Fire
STS = Seat Too Small to use test dummy
TBR = To Be Rated