Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
The Most Unsafe Family Cars as Tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
15-passenger van accidents sometime happen due to an inherently unsafe designs by car manufacturers.
Consumers often believe that the minivan they drive with the built in child safety seats and airbags is a safe and cost effective family vehicle. This is not always the case.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates vehicles on the following scale:
- Good,
- Acceptable,
- Marginal, and
- Poor.
The following vans received Poor to Marginal Frontal Offset Crash Ratings:
Chevrolet Astro and GMC Safari 1996 – 2005
Rating: Poor.
In crash tests, a seat belted dummy hit the steering wheel even though the van is equipped with an airbag because of steering wheel movement and the collapse of the floor.
Chevrolet Venture 1997 – 2005
Rating: Poor rating due to occupant compartment intrusion.
Dodge Grand Caravan 2001
Rating: Poor.
This vehicle’s Frontal Offset Crash Ratings improved to acceptable for 2002 – 2007.
The 2008 – 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan scored the Institute’s highest rating of Good for Frontal Offset Crashes.
Ford Aerostar 1992 – 1997
Rating: Poor.
Honda Odyssey 1995 – 1998
Rating: Marginal.
Mazda MPV 1996 – 1998
Rating: Marginal.
Mercury Villager and Nissan Quest
Rating:
- Marginal: 1996 – 1998
- Poor: 1999 – 2002
Toyota Previa 1994 – 1997
Rating: Poor.
If you have been injured in an auto accident involving an unsafe minivan, consulting with an experienced Boston van accident attorney may be in your best interest.
Call 1-888-208-1695 for a Free Consultation on your car accident case.
