2007 Tundra Falls Short in NHTSA Frontal Crash Test Rating

[dascrow]

In what may turn out to be a significant marketing and sales blow to the biggest vehicle launch in Toyota's history, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released its frontal impact crash test ratings for the new 2007 Tundra full size pickup - only four out of five stars for driver and passenger safety. NHTSA tested the Regular and Double Cab versions of the Tundra, with the same four star results.
In the same test, the all new 2007 Chevrolet Silverado scored five out of five stars, matching the same five star scores previously earned by the current Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram 1500 pickups for driver and front passenger safety in a frontal impact.

NHTSA conducts its frontal crash tests by crashing vehicles into a fixed barrier at 35 miles per hour, the equivalent of a head-on collision between two similar vehicles, each moving at 35 mph. Using crash test dummies, instruments measure the force of impact to each dummy's head, neck, chest, pelvis, legs and feet. Frontal star ratings indicate the chance of a serious head and chest injury to the driver and right front seat passenger. A serious injury is one requiring immediate hospitalization and may be life threatening. Four out of five stars represents an 11% to 20% chance of serious injury. A five star rating indicates serious injury is reduced to 10% or less in a frontal crash.
Toyota has vociferously stated the new Tundra is ready to go head to head with the half-ton pickups offered by the Detroit Three, including expectations for receiving five star safety ratings (page 4, first paragraph).
The NHTSA crash test results are likely to put Toyota's truck team into a deep defensive posture as the Tundra tries to prove itself an equal to the incumbents, and Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler pounce on any perceived weakness in the new truck's armor.

http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/news/tundranhtsa.html

[superB]

This is not that bad, they are making it out to be worse then it really is.

[tundraman]

I may end up keeping my 01 Tundra as upgrading is not going to get me a safer vehicle.

[Bman]

I want a recount!!!

[maximus7479]

well dont crash and you will be fine and how many peapole get into head on collisions at 35 i tend to drive a little faster then that

[chevyman]

thank god im getting rid of my 07 tundra, i feel safe in my 07 silverado

[toyboy]

da#n you toyota, why could'nt you get this one right? I waited and waited for you to come out with this and you failed me almost in every way. The crash test is the straw that broke the camels back. i bought your T100, and it just could'nt cut the mustard. Now this. The only thing you've got going on this one is the drivetrain. I really hoped you would "box" the frame and avoid cheap plastics, but why did'nt you? I compared yours with the silverado and dag nabit, I bought the silvo. I'm very disapointed with you.

[Chief Dave]

New member here as of today. Got 2001 Tundra access cab, 4x4. Have owned many Toyota's in years past. Currently have a 2003 4 Runner for the wife also. Could not resist my first post here. The frontal crash test performed by our government is not even worth reading about. ON ANY vehicle. I have been a volunteer fireman/EMTand a current Fire Chief since the early70's. Have seen probably a thousand accidents and only 2 or 3 have been true front head on's. MOST head on crashes are "offset". The dynamics of what happens between these two type crashes are as different as night and day. American car makers make sure they the vehicles they offer pass well on these "head on" tests. Big deal. If you search around for the insurance companies tests you will find they test for offset frontal crashes. (much more accurate) Don't get wrapped around the axle on the NHSTA tests. Remember, these are GOVERMENT tests, and well, they don't do too much of anything right. Example: the miles per gallon formula they use for the new car stickers is based on you driving 60 mph on the freeway, no air conditioning in use. These test standards were last updated in the 70's. Think these crash test standards are accurate and updated? Nah. Want safety? Wear seatbelt, buy a vehicle with as many airbags as you can get. Side, curtain etc. Above all, DRIVE safe. Thanks for a great site!

Dave

[mainliner]

Originally Posted by Chief Dave

New member here as of today. Got 2001 Tundra access cab, 4x4. Have owned many Toyota's in years past. Currently have a 2003 4 Runner for the wife also. Could not resist my first post here. The frontal crash test performed by our government is not even worth reading about. ON ANY vehicle. I have been a volunteer fireman/EMTand a current Fire Chief since the early70's. Have seen probably a thousand accidents and only 2 or 3 have been true front head on's. MOST head on crashes are "offset". The dynamics of what happens between these two type crashes are as different as night and day. American car makers make sure they the vehicles they offer pass well on these "head on" tests. Big deal. If you search around for the insurance companies tests you will find they test for offset frontal crashes. (much more accurate) Don't get wrapped around the axle on the NHSTA tests. Remember, these are GOVERMENT tests, and well, they don't do too much of anything right. Example: the miles per gallon formula they use for the new car stickers is based on you driving 60 mph on the freeway, no air conditioning in use. These test standards were last updated in the 70's. Think these crash test standards are accurate and updated? Nah. Want safety? Wear seatbelt, buy a vehicle with as many airbags as you can get. Side, curtain etc. Above all, DRIVE safe. Thanks for a great site!

Dave

well said.

[tundraman]

Originally Posted by Bman

I want a recount!!!

Looks like Toyota is doing just that because the data seems to indicate they should of recieved five stars.

[tms usa]

Originally Posted by Chief Dave

New member here as of today. Got 2001 Tundra access cab, 4x4. Have owned many Toyota's in years past. Currently have a 2003 4 Runner for the wife also. Could not resist my first post here. The frontal crash test performed by our government is not even worth reading about. ON ANY vehicle. I have been a volunteer fireman/EMTand a current Fire Chief since the early70's. Have seen probably a thousand accidents and only 2 or 3 have been true front head on's. MOST head on crashes are "offset". The dynamics of what happens between these two type crashes are as different as night and day. American car makers make sure they the vehicles they offer pass well on these "head on" tests. Big deal. If you search around for the insurance companies tests you will find they test for offset frontal crashes. (much more accurate) Don't get wrapped around the axle on the NHSTA tests. Remember, these are GOVERMENT tests, and well, they don't do too much of anything right. Example: the miles per gallon formula they use for the new car stickers is based on you driving 60 mph on the freeway, no air conditioning in use. These test standards were last updated in the 70's. Think these crash test standards are accurate and updated? Nah. Want safety? Wear seatbelt, buy a vehicle with as many airbags as you can get. Side, curtain etc. Above all, DRIVE safe. Thanks for a great site!

Dave

Thank you. Of course we're disappointed in these results, particularly since data from our internal crash test has consistently reflected a five/five rating as outlined by NHTSA criteria. So, it is a surprise to us that we received a four/four star rating.

We're currently reviewing our internal data and the NHTSA data to see what can be done in the future.

BTW, our highest volume Double Cab model and the CrewMax model have not yet been tested by NHTSA.

We can tell you this--> Tundra has the highest level of standard safety equipment in the class, including:

• Vehicle Stability Control
• Active Traction Control
• Anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Force and Brake Assist
• Roll-sensing side curtain airbags

Watch for additional info from tms usa as soon as it is available.

[tundrahq]

I've never seen toyota's corporate communication services post to a forum -- anyone else seen that? I wonder if they'd post comments to my Toyota Tundra blog too?

Anyways, I agree with the firefighter/EMT that said "above all, drive safe." Best advice you can get about accidents -- don't get in one.

In fact, Toyota is one of the only manufacturers of a full-size that offers stability control (Chevy/GMC is the only other I know of, unless you count Ford's Harley Davidson F150, but I don't).

If you have the stability control, your chances of getting into an accident decrease substantially. That Toyota includes this feature standard ought to count for something.

[tms usa]

Originally Posted by tundrahq

I've never seen toyota's corporate communication services post to a forum -- anyone else seen that? I wonder if they'd post comments to my Toyota Tundra blog too? . . .

You're not reading enough forums, tundrahq. We've posted many times to online enthusiast sites that tend to cater to our products, like the Tundra, the Prius, the FJCruiser. It's part of our consumer-generated media initiative with Corporate Communications.

Will check out your blog and maybe add a comment if we find something of interest. Nice work--Thanks.

[tundraman]

[quote=tundrahq;323]I've never seen toyota's corporate communication services post to a forum -- anyone else seen that? I wonder if they'd post comments to my Toyota Tundra blog too?

Same post was on TS a few days ago.

[dascrow]

Originally Posted by tms usa

You're not reading enough forums, tundrahq. We've posted many times to online enthusiast sites that tend to cater to our products, like the Tundra, the Prius, the FJCruiser. It's part of our consumer-generated media initiative with Corporate Communications.

Will check out your blog and maybe add a comment if we find something of interest. Nice work--Thanks.

Hi, I was real excited to see you post on here! Thanks! Please let me know if there is anything else we can do to help promote the new Tundra!

Thanks,
Dascrow