ARLINGTON VA (RNN)- Recent crash tests of midsize SUVs by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety featured a range of problems, including structural collapse, an airbag non-deployment, hard hits to the dummy's head and an open door, according to a release.
Two vehicles failed the institute’s crash test.
The Ford Explorer failed because measures taken from the dummy showed a high likelihood of injuries to the right hip and left lower leg injuries in a real-world crash of the same severity.
Ford is redesigning the Explorer and says the new model will have improved protection.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee also failed after the passenger dummy’s head hit the dashboard hard through the front airbag and then, because the side curtain airbag didn’t deploy, the door opened and the dummy moved outside the vehicle during impact.
Measures from the dummy indicated that right leg injuries and a head injury would be possible in a real life scenario.
Of the newly rated SUVs, the Kia Sorento was the only one to earn the Institute's highest award, TOP SAFETY PICK+.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, to qualify for the 2018 award, a vehicle must earn a good or acceptable rating in that test and good ratings in the other IIHS crashworthiness tests. It also needs an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and good-rated headlights.
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