The IIHS has given 31 vehicles Poor ratings, all 1995-2001 models (with the exception of one 2004). Usually, these vehicles were structurally deficient. 16 got a Poor structural rating, 11 a Marginal, 1 an Acceptable, and 3 a Good. The collapsing occupant compartment became synonymous with poorly-performing vehicles.
But what are those three vehicles that scored a Good structural rating yet still managed to get a Poor rating overall, and how did they manage such a dubious feat? They are the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo, 2001 Hyundai Elantra, and 2004 Kia Spectra. All had airbag problems and high head injury measures.
The Elantra's airbag fired very late, when the dummy had almost impacted the steering wheel. But the Rodeo and Spectra's airbags were functioning properly.
The Spectra's steering wheel airbag was too soft; it didn't provide enough resistance to the head. The saying goes "Airbags are not pillows!" and that's a good thing. The HIC of 682* isn't awful on its own, but that included a 95 g impact against the steering wheel. On rebound, the head hit the B-pillar; impact was 122 g's. Ouch. These impacts alone lowered the head injury rating to Marginal, and IIHS protocol states that the vehicle's overall rating cannot be higher than the head or chest injury rating if that rating is Marginal or Poor; thus the Spectra was capped at Marginal. Combined with the 68 Chest G's recorded around the same time and mediocre leg forces, it gave the vehicle just enough demerits to push it into the Poor range. A "borderline Poor/Marginal" but just on the side of Poor.
Kia improved the Spectra's driver airbag for the 2005 model year, making its vent holes smaller. The fix helped, but steering wheel contact still occurred; this time the HIC was 613* and the steering wheel impact 80 g's. The head still hit the B-pillar, but impact was only 60 g's. This was enough to improve the head rating to Acceptable. While the forces on the rest of the dummy didn't improve substantially, the head forces improved enough to improve the overall rating to Acceptable.
*682 HIC-36; 483 HIC-15
*613 HIC-36; 383 HIC-15
*1,166 HIC-36; 884 HIC-15
*966 HIC-36; 749 HIC-15
But what are those three vehicles that scored a Good structural rating yet still managed to get a Poor rating overall, and how did they manage such a dubious feat? They are the 2000 Isuzu Rodeo, 2001 Hyundai Elantra, and 2004 Kia Spectra. All had airbag problems and high head injury measures.
The Elantra's airbag fired very late, when the dummy had almost impacted the steering wheel. But the Rodeo and Spectra's airbags were functioning properly.
The Spectra's steering wheel airbag was too soft; it didn't provide enough resistance to the head. The saying goes "Airbags are not pillows!" and that's a good thing. The HIC of 682* isn't awful on its own, but that included a 95 g impact against the steering wheel. On rebound, the head hit the B-pillar; impact was 122 g's. Ouch. These impacts alone lowered the head injury rating to Marginal, and IIHS protocol states that the vehicle's overall rating cannot be higher than the head or chest injury rating if that rating is Marginal or Poor; thus the Spectra was capped at Marginal. Combined with the 68 Chest G's recorded around the same time and mediocre leg forces, it gave the vehicle just enough demerits to push it into the Poor range. A "borderline Poor/Marginal" but just on the side of Poor.
Kia improved the Spectra's driver airbag for the 2005 model year, making its vent holes smaller. The fix helped, but steering wheel contact still occurred; this time the HIC was 613* and the steering wheel impact 80 g's. The head still hit the B-pillar, but impact was only 60 g's. This was enough to improve the head rating to Acceptable. While the forces on the rest of the dummy didn't improve substantially, the head forces improved enough to improve the overall rating to Acceptable.
The Isuzu Rodeo had the opposite problem, and its performance was even worse. No "borderline Poor" here, this was straight up Poor. The steering wheel airbag was far too stiff. In the video, you can see the dummy's head bounce off of the overinflated airbag with enough force to bend the neck 90 degrees. HIC was 1,166* and the head injury rating was Poor.
Isuzu also improved its driver airbag for the 2002 model year. Forces were somewhat lower, HIC 966*, and with a Marginal head injury rating, the vehicle's overall rating improved to Marginal.
*682 HIC-36; 483 HIC-15
*613 HIC-36; 383 HIC-15
*1,166 HIC-36; 884 HIC-15
*966 HIC-36; 749 HIC-15
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