Here's something to file under the "you don't see that every day" category. A car company actively promoting the achievement of an entirely average crash test rating.

That is exactly what Nissan are doing with their spin doctors working overtime to highlight the fact that their Nissan Navara has been retested and has scored a 3 star safety rating. In the age of the 5 star car, a 3 star result is underwhelming at best. But why would the folks at Nissan be actively promoting there newly acquired 3 stars?

Simple. In the original crash test the Navara scored a struck-through 1 star result in the EuroNCAP crash testing program.

According to EuroNCAP, the 1 star result was a result of airbag failure.

The poor rating was due in part to the delayed firing of the airbag in the frontal impact test.
Source: EuroNCAP accessed 18 March 2008

As a consequence of this poor result, Nissan went back to the drawing board and developed some new airbag software to ensure the airbag deployed when needed.

The full Nissan media release is attached below.

Three Stars for Nissan Navara in Euro NCAP Test

Score improves after modification to airbag control unit software.

Nissan’s Navara was awarded an improved score of three stars in adult occupant protection in a reassessment test conducted by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) following a modification to the vehicle’s airbag control unit software.

In an earlier test conducted by Euro NCAP whose results were released on Feb. 26, the Navara’s rating in adult occupant protection was affected by the delayed deployment of the front airbags.

Following the first test, Nissan immediately developed a modification to the software to enhance the function of the airbags. In December 2007, the countermeasure was put into production of the Navara to ensure the airbags performed exactly according to design specifications.

Nissan Australia launched a service campaign inviting affected Navara owners to go to their dealers to have the updated software applied to their vehicle. The campaign covers all Navaras produced since launch in 2005 in order to offer maximum reassurance to all Navara customers.

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