Ford Mustang convertible

Test details:

The Ford Mustang was redesigned for the 2005 model year and modified beginning with 2007 models manufactured after May 2007 to reduce the likelihood of a door opening in frontal offset crashes (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).

Two tests of the 2007 Mustang convertible were conducted, one before the door modifications were made, and one after. During the first crash test, the window glass in the down position pushed on the driver door latch linkage, and the door opened. Ford responded by adding structure in the doors to prevent the window glass from contacting the latch mechanism and asked the Institute to test the Mustang again. In the second test, the driver door did not open.

The two cars are rated separately, but the overall rating for each is Acceptable.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was reasonably well controlled. However, the dummy's head hit the A-pillar, which bent downward and inward during the crash. During rebound, the head hit the top of the A-pillar. Late in the crash, the driver door opened. This opening didn't significantly affect dummy movement during the test but shouldn't happen because, in some crashes, it could allow partial or complete occupant ejection.

Injury measures — Measures taken from the head, neck, and chest indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. Forces on the right tibia indicate that lower leg injuries would be possible. Head accelerations from the A-pillar hits were low.