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June 16, 2006
CRITICISM OF NHTSA ROLLOVER RATING SYSTEM CONTINUES
In the May 31 issue of the Detroit Free Press (www.freepress.com ) reporter Justin Hyde reports the following:
Critics say the agency should use more than just math to predict the probability of a rollover. In the wake of the Firestone tire debacle, Congress forced NHTSA to add a driving test to its rollover measurements. That test puts vehicles through a sharp fishhook turn at between 33 and 50 m.p.h. to see if they tip up on two wheels.
For 2006 SUVs, NHTSA lists 13 as having tipped up in its driving tests, including the Ford Escape, the Chevrolet Equinox and the Hyundai Santa Fe.
But under NHTSA's system, those tests have little weight in a vehicle's final score -- no more than a half-star difference -- as the agency cites research that few vehicles get into rollover accidents without striking an object. The Equinox and its twin, the Pontiac Torrent, receive four stars despite tipping their wheels in tests last year.
Consumer Reports, which has long called for NHTSA to use driving tests to measure rollover propensity, will not recommend any vehicle that tips its wheels in NHTSA's tests.
Joan Claybrook, president of Public Citizen, notes that under NHTSA's rules vehicles get extra points for passing the handling test, but aren't penalized for failing it.
"It's very misleading to the public, Claybrook said. Tip-up has always been considered a precursor to rollover.... If you have several models with four stars and a tip-up, there's something wrong with the test."
Hyde notes NHTSAs findings that best SUVs are Chrysler Pacifica, 13%; Ford Freestyle, 13%; Chevrolet HHR, 14%: worst are Nissan Xterra, 25%; Chevrolet Avalanche, 25%; several vehicles tied at 24%: best pickups are Honda Ridgeline, 14%; Toyota Tacoma, 14%; Chevrolet Silverado, 15%: worst pickups are Ford Ranger, 30%; Mazda B-Series, 30%; several tied at 21%.
Posted by MVHAP at June 16, 2006 12:30 PM