Car bumpers put to test; 'excessive damage' reported

The rear bumper on the Audi A6 sustained more than $1,000 in damage in a rear-end crash into a pole

March 29, 2000
Web posted at: 10:42 p.m. EST (0342 GMT)

In this story: $823 was lowest repair cost Rise in premiums may result RELATED STORIES, SITES

From Detroit Bureau Chief Ed Garsten

DETROIT (CNN) -- In a new series of crash tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that even at just 5 mph, the bumpers on certain cars can sustain expensive damage.

	VIDEO
Detroit Bureau Chief Ed Garsten looks at the performance of car bumpers in crash tests. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

"Too many of the 1999 and 2000 models tested this time allowed excessive damage in these 5 mph -- walking speed -- crashes," the institute's president, Brian O'Neill said on Wednesday.

Both front and rear bumpers on all cars were subjected to a flat barrier test. Font bumpers also underwent an angle barrier crash test, and back bumpers were crashed into a pole.

The report cited the 2000 Mazda MPV and the Volvo S80 as the worst performers overall. The 2000 Saturn LS was the car that survived best.

The LS survived all four crashes with a total repair bill of $823.

The Audi A6's bumper suffered no damage in two flat barrier tests. But the model sustained more than $1,000 in damage in both a rear-end crash into a pole and a front bumper angle crash.

The Cadillac Catera had a total repair bill of $3,762 for the four tests.

One surprise was the performance of the Volvo S80, which suffered about $500 in body damage to the front end during a flat barrier crash. "But in addition, both airbags deployed during the test," said O'Neill. "As a result, there was an additional $4,500 in repair bills."

The Volvo's total for all four crashes was $8,062.

The Volvo S80's airbags deployed during the test

The fact that bumpers on even fairly expensive cars like the Volvo S80 crush under fender-bender speed may not be all bad, according to the owner of a body shop outside Detroit.

Tony Nalbandian, owner of A & J Collision, said crumpled bumpers may be a sign that they are doing their job of absorbing the impact of the collision and protecting the occupants of the vehicle.

"I think the way the cars are designed today is for it to collapse gradually so they'll be safer," said Nalbandian.

But the insurance industry says that if the cost of repairs continues to rise, so will premiums, and it will consumers will take the hit in the wallet.

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July 7, 1999

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
  • News release

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