Nissan Navara Safety Shock

Nissan pick up receives one of lowest safety ratings ever

By Oli S / Tuesday, 26 February 2008 / Loading comments

The Nissan Navara has received one of the worst ever crash safety scores.

Euro NCAP decided to start testing pick ups following an increase in sales in many countries, and their growing popularity as family transport.

What it found was safety of vehicles in this category was low on the list of priorities for some carmakers.

Euro NCAP tested three vehicles – the Nissan Navara, the Isuzu D-MAX/Rodeo and the Mitsubishi L200 – and both the Nissan and Isuzu received poor scores in the adult occupant rating.

The Navara achieved an extremely poor rating of a one star strikethrough.

The best of all the pick-ups tested by Euro NCAP was the Mitsubishi L200, which received a respectable four star result in adult occupant protection.

All the vehicles received disappointing child and pedestrian protection scores.

Euro NCAP is now reportedly calling for the Navara to be recalled.

Nissan has announced a service campaign with the intention of improving the software of every Navara on the road since the start of production.

Euro NCAP is currently assessing the modified car and will publish the results as soon as possible.

Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP said tax incentives could have driven demand for pick ups in some countries.

‘Euro NCAP must act as a guardian of car safety for consumers – testing these vehicles becomes imperative when we realise they are no longer simply being used for the carriage of goods,’ he added.

‘Manufacturers must realise we will test all cars that could have an impact on the safety of European consumers’.