Cars & Transportation Ford Mustang

[Bunk Moreland]

I know we have a Motoring board, but this actually appears quite a stunning piece of corporate ****ery that is largely escaping wider attention.

The new Ford Mustang has scored a staggering 2 stars (out of 5) on the new ANCAP safety ratings

http://www.ancap.com.au/media-and-g...scores-concerning-2-star-safety-rating-3aaab9

It's the lowest score in the history of the ratings.

Granted, there is a new set of more stringent tests for 2017, however these were published well ahead of time and manufacturers have therefore made the required improvements.

Yet faults with the Mustang include completely basic stuff - the front airbags didn't deploy satisfactorily, with the dummy heads hitting the steering wheel and passenger dashboard.

The rear curtain airbags are insufficient for children, with the dummy child's head actually missing the airbag completely and smashing onto the C pillar.

The US version of the Mustang has additional safety features (lane departure warning etc) which would have improved the score somewhat, but these were stripped out of the Aus and Euro versions as cost savings.

Cost savings I get - to target them at safety features is shocking.



Probably worst of all, Ford Aus refused to supply ANCAP cars to test as per usual practice. ANCAP even tried to buy some, but couldn't due to waiting lists. It's the most popular car on Aussie roads that's never been submitted for testing.

ANCAP eventually had to get NCAP (their European counterparts) to test the car as they were refused testers in Australia.

There's a 2018 version of the Mustang which reportedly will feature better (read: effective) safety measures. Appears Ford Aus were attempting to delay any testing until the new model, yet in the meantime sell $70k potential death traps to keen buyers and enthusiasts who'd got on the waiting list.

This really stinks.

 

[kickazz]

Yeah some of those outcomes are quite poor indeed. I wonder how strict other countries are with these ratings systems.

It's not really a family car so one might take the rear airbag performance with a grain of salt, and the whole lane departure thing - well I think that is a bad feature in cars that teaches people poor driving habits. It should not count to the total safety.

Yes but overall, a disappointing result. Particularly when you consider that the Australian engineered and made rear wheel drive sedan, the Falcon, (finally) managed to get up to the maximum 5 stars. That's now no longer available, and the imported RWD option, whilst an impressive beast, fails pretty badly in an important category.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Yeah some of those outcomes are quite poor indeed. I wonder how strict other countries are with these ratings systems.

It's not really a family car so one might take the rear airbag performance with a grain of salt, and the whole lane departure thing - well I think that is a bad feature in cars that teaches people poor driving habits. It should not count to the total safety.

Yes but overall, a disappointing result. Particularly when you consider that the Australian engineered and made rear wheel drive sedan, the Falcon, (finally) managed to get up to the maximum 5 stars. That's now no longer available, and the imported RWD option, whilst an impressive beast, fails pretty badly in an important category.

If it's sold it needs to be safe for children. Understand it's not a family car but children will be in it somewhere.

Can't see how lane departure is a bad feature - it's a safeguard for people falling asleep etc. But agree not really the issue here - stuff like airbags is ****in basic.

 

[kickazz]

If it's sold it needs to be safe for children. Understand it's not a family car but children will be in it somewhere.

Can't see how lane departure is a bad feature - it's a safeguard for people falling asleep etc. But agree not really the issue here - stuff like airbags is ****in basic.

When I see people drifting out of lanes these days, 100% of the time they are looking down at their phones. So whilst it is not a bad feature as such, by having it you introduce an opportunity cost whereby development of safety features for responsible drivers (like DSC, etc) is potentially compromised for the sake of irresponsible ones.

Yeah and the ratings cannot make assumptions about how a car is used - if you are going to have a back seat then protect its occupants. If someone will never have rear seat passengers then they can review the details of the finding.

Coincidentally, I recently rode in the back of a '67 Stang the other day. No rear seat belts. No front or rear headrests.

 

[And_ROOS]

Should be illegal if it hasn't been tested against Australian safety practices. Ford have been in this game a long time and really should know better.

 

[kickazz]

Should be illegal if it hasn't been tested against Australian safety practices. Ford have been in this game a long time and really should know better.

It would have been tested and passed ADR, that being the legal requirement.

ANCAP is more a consumer advice test.

 

[NSWCROW]

I know we have a Motoring board, but this actually appears quite a stunning piece of corporate ******y that is largely escaping wider attention.

The new Ford Mustang has scored a staggering 2 stars (out of 5) on the new ANCAP safety ratings

http://www.ancap.com.au/media-and-g...scores-concerning-2-star-safety-rating-3aaab9

It's the lowest score in the history of the ratings.

Granted, there is a new set of more stringent tests for 2017, however these were published well ahead of time and manufacturers have therefore made the required improvements.

Yet faults with the Mustang include completely basic stuff - the front airbags didn't deploy satisfactorily, with the dummy heads hitting the steering wheel and passenger dashboard.

The rear curtain airbags are insufficient for children, with the dummy child's head actually missing the airbag completely and smashing onto the C pillar.

The US version of the Mustang has additional safety features (lane departure warning etc) which would have improved the score somewhat, but these were stripped out of the Aus and Euro versions as cost savings.

Cost savings I get - to target them at safety features is shocking.



Probably worst of all, Ford Aus refused to supply ANCAP cars to test as per usual practice. ANCAP even tried to buy some, but couldn't due to waiting lists. It's the most popular car on Aussie roads that's never been submitted for testing.

ANCAP eventually had to get NCAP (their European counterparts) to test the car as they were refused testers in Australia.

There's a 2018 version of the Mustang which reportedly will feature better (read: effective) safety measures. Appears Ford Aus were attempting to delay any testing until the new model, yet in the meantime sell $70k potential death traps to keen buyers and enthusiasts who'd got on the waiting list.

This really stinks.

Well it's a Ford , there's the major issue right there......

 

[edgie]

Trying to pass us their "prestige" American shit now we can't buy local and hoodwink the cashed up masses.

 

[WCErevival]

Its a new system with stricter requirements. It would probably be a 5 star car if tested 5 years ago. Strange how all the previous cars tested arent tested again so the ratings could be comparable with each other. Its a rubbish system

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Its a new system with stricter requirements. It would probably be a 5 star car if tested 5 years ago. Strange how all the previous cars tested arent tested again so the ratings could be comparable with each other. Its a rubbish system

Except it's not a 5 year old car. New cars are safer, that's a given. The tests evolve as safety standards evolve.

The manufacturers are warned ahead of time and they all adapt. Fords other cars adapted.

In any case, there's zero excuse for dysfunctional airbags.

 

[Mofra]

Vale Syd

 

[Frank Bunn]

Except it's not a 5 year old car. New cars are safer, that's a given. The tests evolve as safety standards evolve.

The manufacturers are warned ahead of time and they all adapt. Fords other cars adapted.

In any case, there's zero excuse for dysfunctional airbags.

Given that the average age of cars on Australian roads is about 10 years the new Ford Mustang would be one of the safest cars on the road. Hyperbole to call it a 'deathtrap'.

The dysfunctional airbags need an explanation though. There was a recall last year but it seems to be a different issue.

http://www.torquenews.com/106/ford-mustang-included-new-list-takata-airbag-recalls

 

[WCErevival]

Except it's not a 5 year old car. New cars are safer, that's a given. The tests evolve as safety standards evolve.

The manufacturers are warned ahead of time and they all adapt. Fords other cars adapted.

In any case, there's zero excuse for dysfunctional airbags.

Have the other cars been tested under the 2017 requirements?

 

[Lebbo73]

Well it's a Ford , there's the major issue right there......

Behave yourself

 

[kickazz]

Behave yourself

Haha indeed.

At least they aren't lying about things like VW.....

 

[Syd]

Vale Syd

Meh, I'm old and have had a good run.
I'm loving mine and wouldn't swap it for anything else doing the rounds TBH.

And FWIW, only an issue if you're a crap driver and hit things.

 

[kickazz]

And FWIW, only an issue if you're a crap driver and hit things.

obviously has never had a roo jump out in front ........ ;-)

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Given that the average age of cars on Australian roads is about 10 years the new Ford Mustang would be one of the safest cars on the road. Hyperbole to call it a 'deathtrap'.

The dysfunctional airbags need an explanation though. There was a recall last year but it seems to be a different issue.

Ok, two paragraphs that completely contradict each other.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Meh, I'm old and have had a good run.
I'm loving mine and wouldn't swap it for anything else doing the rounds TBH.

And FWIW, only an issue if you're a crap driver and hit things.

Don't have to be a crap driver for somebody to pull out in front of you or run a red light while you're innocently passing through an intersection.

 

[Syd]

obviously has never had a roo jump out in front ........ ;-)

Not too many Roos kicking around Metro Sydney these days, but drive both Metro and Rural for work, so have had the pleasure.
Same back home with Deer.

Rather be in the 'Stang than a Commodore or Falcon TBH.
She looks a lot like this...

 

[kickazz]

Don't have to be a crap driver for somebody to pull out in front of you or run a red light while you're innocently passing through an intersection.

Yeah, getting t-boned by an SUV is one of the more deadly things that can happen to you. It's why the media were right in hounding Ford to make side curtain airbags standard in the Falcon for a long time.

 

[Syd]

Don't have to be a crap driver for somebody to pull out in front of you or run a red light while you're innocently passing through an intersection.

Your chances of getting hit by a Car crossing the street as a Pedestrian would be higher in all honesty.

And tell me that you'd rather get T-Boned in an Accent, or a Corolla, or any other car out there.
Nothing really works well when someone runs a red light at full speed.
Nothing

 

[Frank Bunn]

Ok, two paragraphs that completely contradict each other.

No they don't. The Mustang has a higher safety rating than most cars on the road.

The airbag problem might have been specific to the car tested or more general - it's not clear. But none of the 10 and 20 year old cars on the road ever get their airbags re-tested so they could be much worse than a partial inflation problem.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

No they don't. The Mustang has a higher safety rating than most cars on the road.

The airbag problem might have been specific to the car tested or more general - it's not clear. But none of the 10 and 20 year old cars on the road ever get their airbags re-tested so they could be much worse than a partial inflation problem.

Ok, so as long as cars are as safe as those 10-20 years old it's all good.

Companies knowing about safety issues and intentionally avoiding having their cars tested by internationally recognised ratings agencies? No worries.

It's not a problem as VT Commodores weren't any safer.

The airbag problem is a design issue - they're incorrectly positioned.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Your chances of getting hit by a Car crossing the street as a Pedestrian would be higher in all honesty.

And tell me that you'd rather get T-Boned in an Accent, or a Corolla, or any other car out there.
Nothing really works well when someone runs a red light at full speed.
Nothing

You probably should just read the crash test report.

You still might not care because she looks good, but I guarantee your family will if your airbag doesn't work.