Dodge Grand Caravan
2002-07 modelsresults also apply to: 2002-07 Chrysler Town & Country
MODERATE OVERLAP FRONT TEST
OVERALL EVALUATION:
| Structure/safety cage | Injury measures | Restraints/dummy kinematics | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head/neck | Chest | Leg/foot, left | Leg/foot, right | ||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.
Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor
Test details:
The Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country were redesigned for the 2001 model year.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of the Grand Caravan in three 40 mph frontal offset crash tests into deformable barriers. After the first test, DaimlerChrysler indicated the results were different from tests the company had conducted and requested a retest.
Results of the second test were more consistent with company test results for structural performance, but the amount and pattern of intrusion were similar. More significantly, a fuel leak occurred, revealing a weakness in the design of a circular fitting where the fuel lines exit the fuel tank. Further examination of the fitting in the van tested first showed stress fractures in the same area as the leak in the second van.
A third test was conducted after DaimlerChrysler made a design change to fix the fuel tank fitting and retrofitted a 2001 model with the redesign (all 2002 and later models include the modification). Examination of the redesigned fitting after the third test indicated no damage.
Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was well controlled in all three tests, except there was too much upward steering wheel movement in the second test.
Injury measures — Measures taken from the neck and chest in all three tests indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. A high acceleration occurred when the dummy's head hit the steering wheel through the airbag in the first and second tests, indicating that injuries to the head would be possible. Forces on the left femur indicate that injuries to the upper leg would be possible in the first and third tests. Forces on the right tibia and foot indicate that injuries to the lower leg and foot would be likely in all three tests.
Left to right:
- Action shot taken during the last of three frontal offset crash tests.
- The driver's survival space was maintained reasonably well, as indicated by the dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the third crash test.
- The dummy's head bottomed out the airbag and hit the steering wheel in the first two tests. In the second test (pictured), there also was too much upward movement of the steering wheel.
- Forces on the right leg were high enough to indicate the likelihood of lower leg or foot injuries in all three tests (third test pictured).
Additional features:
- Side airbags: head curtain airbags for all three rows of seats (optional, beginning with 2005 models)
- Side airbags: front seat-mounted combination head and torso airbags (optional, 2002-04 models)
- Driver inflatable knee bolster: a separate airbag in the lower instrument panel designed to minimize knee injuries in frontal crashes (beginning with 2006 models)
- Built-in child restraints (optional)
- Antilock brakes
- Daytime running lights (optional on vehicles sold to fleets)
Tested vehicle specifications:
- 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport
- Class: Minivan
- Weight: 4,224 lbs.
- Side airbags: front seat-mounted combination head and torso airbags (in first and third vans tested, none in second van tested)
- Wheelbase: 119 in.
- Length: 200 in.
- Width: 79 in.
- Engine: 3.3 L V6
- EPA ratings: 18 mpg city | 24 mpg highway
