Infiniti FX

Test details:

The Infiniti FX was introduced in the 2003 model year. There are two models, the FX35 (equipped with a V6 engine) and the FX45 (equipped with a V8 engine).

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of the FX in two 40 mph frontal offset crash tests into deformable barriers. In the first test, the driver frontal airbag deployed late, with the result that high forces were recorded on the dummy's head, indicating the likelihood of head injuries. This led Infiniti to modify the frontal airbag deployment characteristics on models produced after September 10, 2003. Also, Infiniti initiated a service campaign to modify, at its cost, vehicles produced earlier. The Institute tested a second FX with the modified driver airbag, and the airbag inflated much earlier. Ratings of the FX are based on the results of the second test, except structural performance is based on both tests.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head brushed the inflated side curtain airbag and its fabric cover. The dummy continued to rebound into the seat without its head coming close to any stiff structure that could cause injury.

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. A high head acceleration occurred when the dummy's head hit the steering wheel through the airbag, indicating that head injuries would be possible.