Fiat 500

Test details:

The Fiat 500 was introduced in the 2012 model year. Two tests of a 2012 Fiat 500 were conducted. In the first test as detailed here, forces recorded on the dummy's head were high when it hit the steering wheel through the airbag, indicating that head injuries would be possible. Postcrash investigation revealed that a steel cross tube in the seat structure was pulled out at one end and contributed to the seat pitching forward during the crash and the dummy's head moving too far forward into the airbag. In response, Chrysler/Fiat modified the seat structure to improve occupant protection in frontal crashes beginning with cars manufactured after July 2011 (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door).

In the second test of a car built after the seat modifications were in place, the head/neck rating improved to Acceptable, but the driver door unlatched, likely due to an artifact of the dummy's arm construction. Because the front end structure of the car was not affected by the seat modifications or the door opening, structure ratings are based on both tests.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement appeared to be well controlled, despite the problem with the seat structure. The driver side curtain and side torso airbags deployed during the crash. During rebound, the dummy's head contacted the side curtain airbag.

Injury measures — Measures taken from the neck, chest, and both legs indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. Forces on the head when the dummy hit the steering wheel through the frontal airbag indicate that head injuries would be possible.