IIHS & HLDI news: 2004

December 19

New frontal offset crash test results: only 2 of 5 small cars earn good ratings; 1 is poor

December 10

New side impact crash test results for small SUVs: Honda CR-V improves from marginal to good with standard side airbags; Ford Escape with optional side airbags also rated good

November 18

Many deaths in vehicle-animal collisions are avoidable — major factor is failure to use safety belts and motorcycle helmets; fatal crashes jumped 27 percent in 2003 compared with previous year

November 14

New dynamic tests of seats & head restraints in cars: Few seat/head restraint combinations do a good job of protecting people from neck injury in rear-end crashes; most are rated poor — Insurers join in 1st international release of vehicle safety information

October 28

Electronic stability control found effective; main effect is to reduce single-vehicle crash risk, including the risk of fatal single-vehicle crashes

October 19

Cadillac Escalade and Nissan Maxima are top theft targets; report shows vehicles most likely to have theft claims

October 3

New side impact crash test results: Saab 9-3 is 1st car to earn 'double best pick,' 3 other midsize cars earn good ratings in side impact test simulating crash with SUV

September 13

Huge costs of mismatched bumpers: when bumpers on cars and SUVs don't line up (and many of them don't), low-speed collisions produce more damage and higher repair costs

July 25

New crash test results: small SUV from Toyota is 1st to earn 'double best pick' designation for both front and side crashworthiness

July 1

More crash deaths occur on 4th of July than any other day; July 3 is 2nd worst

June 13

New frontal offset crash test results: 3 new vehicles rated good; small SUV improves

April 18

Side impact crash test results: Camry and Accord with side airbags rated good, Malibu acceptable; 10 other midsize cars rated poor in tests simulating crash with SUV

March 21

Results of new high-speed crash tests: five midsize cars are rated good and one is acceptable; structural designs improve compared with old models

February 29

5 of 6 midsize cars earn low ratings in 5 mph crashes to test the bumpers

February 5

Crash test results are good predictors of what will happen to occupants of vehicles in on-the-road crashes