2013 Safety Rating

[camiev]

http://www.safercar.gov" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They rated 2012 leaf at 5 star.

For 2013 Leaf rated at 4 star.

Why is that? In practical terms, what the different between 4 vs 5 star.

2012 is safer to drive than 2013?

That might explain the 6K price cut :lol:
They cut corner on 2013 model? Make range longer with lighter materials but less safe.

 

[thehelix112]

Maybe you could link to specific info? And/or correct your post so it doesn't contradict itself.

Dave

 

[TomT]

The number of stars is based on the level of "injury" that the instrumented test dummies experience.
For whatever reason. perhaps some minor changes in the 2013 increased the injury level slightly, enough to drop it down a star...

Why is that? In practical terms, what the different between 4 vs 5 star.

 

[johnqh]

Seems the difference is with the side rating. Why?

 

[DeaneG]

The test itself might have changed too.

 

[RonDawg]

The test itself might have changed too.

According to the same website, the test did change, but for the 2011 model year. So that doesn't explain it.

For some reason, I am unable to find individual crash test ratings on that same website the way I can with IIHS. But this is what one author had to say about the test ratings:

While earlier models of the Leaf received top ratings for safety, the 2013 Nissan Leaf has not yet been fully rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It receives four out of five stars for rollover safety--the same as 2011 and 2012 models--but has not been rated for frontal or side crash safety, so there's not yet an overall rating.

Earlier Leaf models, however, received the NHTSA's highest five stars for overall safety, comprised of five stars for side crash and four stars for frontal crash safety.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the 2013 Leaf its highest rating of "Good" for moderate-overlap front crash, side impact, and roof crush safety. It has not rated the latest Leaf on its new small-overlap front crash test. Previous model years of Nissan Leaf were deemed a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

Nissan itself tested the Leaf extensively in dozens of crash tests, and said the lithium-ion battery pack in the floorpan suffered not damage in 40-mph side offset crash tests.

The 2013 Leaf comes with the standard array of electronic safety systems, including braking assist, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, and a monitoring system for tire pressure. It has six airbags: front-seat riders are protected by bags in the dashboard and the sides of the car, and all four outboard passengers are covered by side-curtain airbags that shield the entire window area front and rear.

From: http://www.thecarconnection.com/review/1081947_2013-nissan-leaf_safety_5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This article also implies that only a relatively small sample of new cars available any given model year are actually tested by NHTSA, although the 2013 Leaf is scheduled to be one of them (it is dated September 2012):
http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/NHTSA+Announces+Model+Year+2013+Vehicles+to+be+Rated+Under+Government+5-Star+Safety+Ratings+Program" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[cwerdna]

For model year 2013, it seems the side crash passenger rear seat rating is only 3 stars vs. 5 for the '11.
http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Shoppers/5-Star+Safety+Ratings/2011-Newer+Vehicles/Vehicle-Detail?vehicleId=7286" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Shoppers/5-Star+Safety+Ratings/2011-Newer+Vehicles/Vehicle-Detail?vehicleId=6171" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I haven't had a chance look into the details or video yet. If you click on the test #s on the right, they take you to more info.

I wonder how reliable/repeatable some of these tests are.

 

[RegGuheert]

For model year 2013, it seems the side crash passenger rear seat rating is only 3 stars vs. 5 for the '11.

From your links, I also see that the frontal crash passenger seat rating is now only 3 stars versus 4 for 2012. OTOH, the frontal crash passenger rating for the driver has risen to 5 stars versus 4 for 2012.

I have a little trouble imagining how one could go up while the other went down, even with changes in what is inside the engine compartment.

 

[Deleted member 9549]

Anyone have more information on this? I was under the impression that the LEAF had a 5 star rating. Big change to say its only 3 star for passengers. Having just walked away from a significant accident that totaled our LEAF, I'm putting extra importance on these test results.

The NHTSA website is also showing the same results for the 2014 model year. Is the 2014 out yet? Or are they told there are no major changes therefore they can use the same test results for 2014?

Had Nissan issued any sort of statement about the ratings drop?