IIHS Plans to Release Half-Ton Crash-Test Results Soon
You might remember the big news in July 2015 when Ford's all-new aluminum-bodied 2015 F-150 got mixed results during frontal-offset crash testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Recent tweets from IIHS indicate that the agency is now ready to reveal updated safety information about other pickup trucks as well.
Crash-testing of pickups became big news early in 2015 after Automotive News reported that Ford used protector bars (highlighted in yellow and red below) in the F-150 SuperCrew four-door (the most popular of the segment) but not in the SuperCab or regular-cab models; as a result, the crash-test results among the F-150 models were reported to be quite different. Until that point in time, IIHS only tested a manufacturer's most popular pickup cab models, believing it wasn't necessary to crash-test other cab and wheelbase configurations. The brouhaha resulted in the IIHS deciding to test multiple models for each 2016 pickup brand.
According to IIHS tweets, it will share the results of its most recent half-ton pickup crash tests next week; those include tests of extended-cab and four-door crew-cab configurations for each of the major half-ton pickups (Chevy, Ford, GMC, Ram, and Toyota). And we've heard rumors that only one pickup is getting a "Good" rating in all seven of the IIHS categories.
We assume that all the major players followed the news about the F-150 during the 2015 testing quite closely and may have made small modifications to their 2015-206 models knowing that IIHS would quickly request new half-ton pickups for testing.
It will be interesting to see which pickups, if any, get IIHS' Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick Plus designations, especially since none of the big players, to our knowledge, have done much beyond an external design refresh in the last two years. We'll have to wait and see if any structural changes were made to help boost scores for the challenging frontal-offset crash test. Regardless of what the test results yield, IIHS' coming announcement will have all the truckmakers scrambling to improve their scores for the next model year.
Although the 2017 Nissan Titan is the next fully redesigned half-ton model to hit the market (but not yet tested), the Ram 1500 is scheduled for a significant redesign in 2018, while significant design refreshes for GM and Ford half-tons are likely to happen after that.
IIHS images
Comments
@ after all the hoopla of " military grade aluminum", Ford had to go and use "steel" crash bars to make their vehicles safe. This of course adds weight that notifies the weight savings of an aluminum constructed body. Go figure.
Nullifies
Rumor is one pickup is getting "good" ratings in all 7 categories.... Well since the 2015 achieved that last year as well as top safety pick last year as well is it safe to assume that only the f150 will meet the crash standards..... Hmmm the spinning is going to be epic!!!!
Still dropping the ball. No single cab test.
Too bad Nissan's efforts aren't being tested.
After seeing the results IIHS showed that only 1 of 31 cars they tested had acceptable head lights it would be nice to see what their trucks rating show.
The F-150 crew and super cab I knew about that news back in July 2015 but I don't remember PUTC reporting that showing favoritism and cover up for Ford.
@gmsrcrappy
Yeah they attach to their steel frame. Just like GM trucks will have when they follow the leader and use aluminum bodies.
DC
Putc reported on it..... Putc is less brand bias then you!!!!!
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/07/2015-ford-f-150-gets-mixed-iihs-crash-test-results.html
Iihs already picked the 2016 f150 as there top safety pick for this year. Does that mean the rest of the manufactures failed as rumor has it that only 1 truck passed in 2016 and iihs already giving the f150 its top safety pick award??? I think the real question is how unsafe and poorly engineered the other manufactures truck are. Iihs large truck for 2016 top safety pick is the f150!!!! Maybe the other manufactures can revearse engineer the f150 to be able to make safe trucks instead of dangerous trucks
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/ford/f-150-crew-cab-pickup/2016
@Scott, pretty much says it all. Good job on that link. Thanks.
I can see that fans of particular brands, especially Ford, seem to be touting their 2016 F-150. However, all pickup trucks seem to not do so good when it comes to crash safety, especially in off set and marginal off set tests.
It seems odd that when Ford owned Volvo, they never got the folks in Gothenburg to look at ways of improving their pickup truck safety. Case in point, when the Gen 1 Volvo XC90 was launched circa 2003 it already met the marginal off set tests 10 years before anyone else...
I just wish Volvo would build a mid size Pickup Truck based on the XC90 platform.
I've seen brand new F150s totalled in parking lot "fender benders" 25mph tops.. one of the wrecks the front tire/hub assembly completely ripped off... military grade is a joke...
If rumors are true, shame on these manufactures for not improving on known safety issues.
PUTC shows favoritism with Ford
PUTC is in love with the F-150, it can do no wrong!
They never show news about the brake, steering, transmission and turbo problems, BUT! they can't wait to get out a story with the problems of maybe 200-300 of other brands of trucks!
Like I said before if they started making the body of the F-150 out of cardboard and used a Briggs & Stratton lawnmower engine they would still praise it!
Iihs already picked the 2016 f150 as there top safety pick for this year. Does that mean the rest of the manufactures failed as rumor has it that only 1 truck passed in 2016 and iihs already giving the f150 its top safety pick award???
Posted by: Scott | Apr 9, 2016 1:20:43 PM
Great to see a Mexican company like Ford doing so well!
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/06/business/ford-building-a-plant-in-mexico-draws-fire-from-trump.html?_r=0
"Like I said before if they started making the body of the F-150 out of cardboard and used a Briggs & Stratton lawnmower engine they would still praise it!"
Posted by: Lou_DC | Apr 9, 2016 3:38:58 PM
I would actually consider a F150 with a Briggs & Stratton engine....they can keep the ecobust!
http://blog.caranddriver.com/ford-recalls-2015-mustang-ecoboost-for-potential-fuel-leaks/
Ford safe? That's funny. Brake failures, stalling, limp mode, FIRE recalls, steering issues. That's funny right their Ford fans. I could sell you ice if you lived in an igloo. Never mind that the steel Ford faired better when crashed into an aluminum one. Just remember Ford boys you may not hit a test wall. You may run into a steel truck IE RAM and G.M.
Stay thirsty,
Ford is the big winner. See I told you so. Once the IIHS finally tested the GMs and Rams in all of the cabs and the small front overlap they were exposed BIG TIME! Ram tried to say they had a simple fix last year, but failed big time. GM didn't even try so GM fanbois can go jump in a lake. See I told you so.
That fat lard from Ram along with the anti-innovation-propogandists at SDMSI Steel said people feel much safer with steel in doors. The results on Tuesday are going to be very interesting!
RamTrucks @RamTrucks Apr 8
Step up where others shy away. #GutsGloryRam
#RamLife
RamTrucks @RamTrucks Apr 7
The only time we quit, is when the job is done. #RamLife
Ram chief: No one's asking for an aluminum pickup
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CA/20141103/OEM/141039943/AR/0/AR-141039943.jpg&MaxW=700&cci_ts=20141031191918
Bob Hegbloom, head of the Ram brand, said drivers feel safer with steel doors.
Automotive News
November 3, 2014 - 12:01 am ET
DETROIT — The buzz in Detroit is that the lightweight aluminum body of the upcoming 2015 F-150 pickup will give Ford a significant advantage.
Bob Hegbloom, chief of the Ram brand, isn’t buying it.
After a lot of customer research, he said, “I don’t see anyone asking for an aluminum truck today.”
He added that “people say they feel much safer with steel in the doors — where they feel exposed.” Hegbloom spoke at a media event at company headquarters here on Thursday, Oct. 30.
http://www.autonews.com/article/20141103/OEM/141039943/ram-chief-no-ones-asking-for-an-aluminum-pickup
____________
When the ratings come out on Tuesday I am going to ROTFLOL at Hegbloom.
Ford didn't add a steel support to their frame as one of the dolts above mentioned. The aluminum body and aluminum supports is STRONGER than the steel that it replaces. That is not an opinion but a proven fact. Ford already had the truck with the strongest body and frame and then with the aluminum truck they made it even stronger. Anybody that follows truck safety knows that ford makes the safest pickup today. As proven in multiple different tests. Chevy has a really struggled with crash tests over the years because under the sheet metal they really skimp out on structural support. Want to know why Fords historically have the HEAVIEST trucks? It's because they have the strongest frame and body with the most substance to it. Which in many cases has equated to the safest truck. My wife was T boned last year in our f-150 by a guy going 60 mph and blew threw a stop sign. I'm thankful she was in a ford truck and not a chevy. Truck was easily totaled but my wife didn't have a scratch and the cab was totally intact even though the impact was directly in the center of the truck on the drivers side. I didn't even consider another brand for my next truck.
http://www.tfltruck.com/2016/02/which-truck-has-the-strongest-roof-is-it-aluminum-or-steel-safety/
"Want to know why Fords historically have the HEAVIEST trucks? It's because they have the strongest frame and body with the most substance to it."
Posted by: jerry | Apr 9, 2016 9:58:01 PM
Sure, is this the same Ford frame in the Raptor that bends like a paper plate? Is this the same C Channel frame that twists so bad it causes body damage off camber and radiator cracks from flexing like a wet noodle? You must be confused. Ram was the first to use fully boxed frames in 02 from bow to stern.
Watching Nascar Texas on TV this evening. A Ford TV commercial is bragging that the F-series is the only truck to get a 5 stars rating for pickup trucks this year 2016 because of using Military grade aluminum & a high strengh steel frame.
Damn f---king Fords. Always #1. LOL
Damn f---king Fords. Always #1. LOL
Posted by: blueman | Apr 9, 2016 11:07:20 PM
You bet even in recalls!!!
Once the other manufactures move to using military grade aluminum like ford does they maybe able to pass crash test performed by iihs. Ram even copied ford on wheel blockers once they crashed ford last year and still can't pass. How bad is Ram's engineer department if they can't get it right.... It to be expected from ram as they have there paper strength roof that is weak so there is no way they could engineer any safety in a head on collision.... But. GM just redesigned there truck and they still can't get the safety right. Looks like the off center steering wheel of the GM's that isn't even centered on the driver didn't help its crash worthiness like they claim it does.
Posted by: HEMI V8 | Apr 9, 2016 11:36:52 PM
You bet even in recalls!!!
Hemi you could be right. At least Ford is not force by the US Government Lemon Law an force to buy back there trucks for the last six years like RAM. LOL
I have to laugh at the Ram Boys... they whine the Ecoboost is so bad... oh failing turbos.... I have not heard of one turbo failure ever. When first introduced they had a problem with moisture bogging them but that was quickly rectified.
Ram announced they have been working on the Pentastar for two years to turbocharge it and we could see the end of the Hemi or perhaps it would be kept around for the trucks.
http://fcauthority.com/2016/01/fiat-chrysler-to-twin-turbocharge-3-6l-pentastar-v6/
Geez how many years are they behind Ford? Let see how this twin turbo Penastar performs? I can see the recalls already!
Ford is aluminum and it is termed military grade by the industry not Ford. A few GM guys made fun of it until GM announced they will follow with an aluminum truck as well.
Ram and their media has been having a hey day calling the trucks beer cans...then announce in the future they will use more aluminum on their trucks...problem is they do not have the tech,resources or money to complete a full truck.
Fiat continues to bash aluminum and recently announce if they can they would like the new jeep to be...Aluminum.
Ram is like the the mouthy drunk at the bar and by the end of the evening someone knocks him out.
we will see how Fiat makes twin turbo engines and maybe the beer can wrangler..... one thing is certain...they are really starting to fall behind.
Ford and GM will have 10 spd transmissions that cost much cheaper then the ZF8...oh and it looks like the ecodiesel with have some real competition and show Ram how it is really done!
Ram also whined about the ecoboost name then turns arounmd calling their diesel the ecodiesel.... yeah with 800 lbs payload it's a monster that competes well against most small SUV's.
I am not taking anybody's side, the Ram and the Chevy trucks are just as bad as the Ford!
The newer they are the more cheap and generic they get.
The new Engineers seem to forget about the basics or what worked or failed in the past where they keep making the same mistakes over and over again.
The trucks built 10 years ago are better trucks that are made today.
They claim lighter materials make the truck lighter that gives you better gas mileage, that's BULL! They make them lighter to keep manufacturing costs down so they make a bigger profit.
I don't care what anybody says but common sense tells me a heavier vehicle is much safer in a crash.
The 2004-2008 F-150 was a much better built truck and safer with the same gas mileage as the F-150 built today!
You're a fool trading in your older F-150 for a new one, not only are you getting a worse truck but you're paying big money for it too!
Look at the smaller size of the brake rotors on the new F-150 compared to your older truck! You'll need a brake job every 12 to 15K miles! Look at the heat and AC blower motor, its weak!, look how thin the glass is, push down on the floorboards and you can feel the thin metal move under your feet! BUT! there is ONE advantage with the new F-150 the headlights are brighter!
canadianthoughts
There are more complaints about the 2015 F-150 reported to NHTSA than combined in both years of the 2013 and 2014 F-150 PLUS there are pending lawsuits against the F-150 where the owners never get the gas mileage that Ford has claimed!
but NOOOOOOOO! you'll never read about that here!
oh! oh! Oh! that new 2.7 V6 Ecoboost is SOOOOOO WONDERFUL I, I, I, can get up to 32 MPG !!!!
ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
I feel so dumb!
When I saw the photo of the truck with the crash test dummy, I thought it was the publicity photo of the new RAM's front end.
My mistake.
How embarrassing.
They wish their front looked that good. I think FCA's demise will be sooner than most think. Doubt the billions poured into Alfa Romeo will pay off, only thing left profitable is Jeep and Ram. As the only auto manufacturer with a net debt, antiquated platforms, while lagging in new technology and losing global market share, their days are numbered. Sergio knows this and is willing to accept a merger or takeover, but seems no one is interested. I'd think some Chinese or Indian company will jump in after bankruptcy and buy assets.
My wife was T boned last year in our f-150 by a guy going 60 mph and blew threw a stop sign. I'm thankful she was in a ford truck and not a chevy. Truck was easily totaled but my wife didn't have a scratch and the cab was totally intact even though the impact was directly in the center of the truck on the drivers side.
Posted by: jerry | Apr 9, 2016 9:58:01 PM
What was that poor guy driving. A bicycle ?
Geez how many years are they behind Ford? Let see how this twin turbo Penastar performs? I can see the recalls already!
Posted by: canadianthoughts | Apr 10, 2016 1:23:34 AM
FCA has twin turbo engine running in their supercars for years.
http://www.pentastars.com/engines/ferrari.php
"Hemi you could be right. At least Ford is not force by the US Government Lemon Law an force to buy back there trucks for the last six years like RAM...."
Posted by: blueman | Apr 10, 2016 12:18:56 AM
Yeah blueman is right Ford doesn't bother with forcing the US govt to do anything. They just move to Mexico! Why pay stupid American to build cars, when they can pay stupid Mexicans!
http://dailycommercialnews.com/Projects/News/2016/4/Ford-to-build-assembly-plant-in-Mexico-1014756W/
For a Mexican company Ford is doing great!
Leave it to the 5 year olds that wished they could drive Ford clowns to F up another story.
It is good to see crash results for pickups.
Since pickups are becoming a basic and the primary family wagon the customer can make an informed decision on what is best for your family.
I wonder how many people actually care about these tests, I certainly don't buy a truck based on how well it did in a crash test!
Speaking about 5 year old's that drive Ford's, how are you johnny doe?
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/146873/20160404/ford-recalls-nearly-50k-vehicles-in-us-for-fire-risk.htm
woopud. It certainly matters if you care about your safety or the safety of your family. For many people that is the MOST important thing. Especially when these crash tests show that many trucks are significantly less safe than others.
@ RAM Geez how many years are they behind Ford? Let see how this twin turbo Penastar performs? I can see the recalls already!
Posted by: canadianthoughts | Apr 10, 2016 1:23:34 AM
FCA has twin turbo engine running in their supercars for years.
http://www.pentastars.com/engines/ferrari.php
lol ....yeah they sold 10 of them in a 2700lb ferrari... let see how it does in a truck. although the way Rams are worked it might succeed as the average soccer mom and and grocery runs dont exceed that Ram payload
Hemi you could be right. At least Ford is not force by the US Government Lemon Law an force to buy back there trucks for the last six years like RAM. LOL
Posted by: blueman | Apr 10, 2016 12:18:56 AM
Less help from Ford?
When the Power Stroke's troubles surfaced, Ford tried hard to keep customers happy. In the summer of 2003, Ford took the unusual step of buying back 500 trucks, mostly because of fuel system problems.
http://autotrend.activeboard.com/t26023097/60-ford-powerstroke-diesel-buyback-ford-dealer-techs-were-un/
must be embarrassing having a 2.7 blow the doors off a Hemi and out tow a Ecodiesel...
I wonder if the next big lawsuit will be all the Ram Ecodiesel owners with cancer from the awful particulates exhaust into the cab?
canadianthoughts
There are more complaints about the 2015 F-150 reported to NHTSA than combined in both years of the 2013 and 2014 F-150 PLUS there are pending lawsuits against the F-150 where the owners never get the gas mileage that Ford has claimed!
but NOOOOOOOO! you'll never read about that here!
oh! oh! Oh! that new 2.7 V6 Ecoboost is SOOOOOO WONDERFUL I, I, I, can get up to 32 MPG !!!!
ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Posted by: Lou_DC
Fiat was fined $105million for failing to carry out recalls...now 1.4 billion dollar buyback. Guess what people with new Rams are still experiencing the same words at the dealer: we don't have the parts? This is what led to the hugest fine in auto history and buyback....The clowns at Fiat are digging themselves a big big hole.
They wish their front looked that good. I think FCA's demise will be sooner than most think. Doubt the billions poured into Alfa Romeo will pay off, only thing left profitable is Jeep and Ram. As the only auto manufacturer with a net debt, antiquated platforms, while lagging in new technology and losing global market share, their days are numbered. Sergio knows this and is willing to accept a merger or takeover, but seems no one is interested. I'd think some Chinese or Indian company will jump in after bankruptcy and buy assets.
Posted by: Tom
I agree...I think Fiat and Sergio already know the future spells trouble for them. I know Ram is one of their better products but it does suffer from unreliability and those in the market do not need this truck brand to take on. Jeep is the most prized brand the company owns and if they screw up the new wrangler...well we all know the bottom will fall rather fast after that!
The whole idea of the merger was Fiat would bring world class expertise and give the Chrysler brand the small cars it desperately needed to compete...it has not happened and as the economy tightens it is those small cars that help large companies survive... ask Toyota,Honda,GM and Ford.
Have a complaint or need assistance above the Fiat /Ram dealer...it is non existent... it is like trying to call Santa Claus!
Every other brand...Toyota,Gm,Ford... immediate Reps to assist you and get involved and at least hear your concerns.
All vehicles look great when new...it's the experience of owning them and having the dealer in your corner afterwards...Fiat really lacks at this in a big way!
According to allpar the v8 hemi is being replaced with sn ecoboost clone....
http://www.allpar.com/news/2016/03/future-of-the-5-7-hemi-31554
Rumor has it Ford will copy the best in class leader Ram with a 1/2 ton Diesel of their own.lol
http://www.fordf150.net/diesel/
The comments to this entry are closed.