The 2013 Volkswagen Jetta sedan, a popular choice for drivers seeking fuel efficiency and German engineering, underwent rigorous testing to evaluate its safety performance. This report focuses on the small overlap frontal crash test conducted on a 2012 model Jetta, retrofitted to represent the 2013 models built after October 2012, which incorporated critical safety enhancements, particularly to the side curtain airbag system.
It’s important to note that these ratings specifically apply to 2013-14 Volkswagen Jetta models manufactured after October 2012. These models featured reprogrammed side curtain airbags designed to deploy effectively in small overlap frontal crashes, a modification intended to bolster occupant protection in challenging collision scenarios. To ascertain the manufacturing date of a specific vehicle, owners can refer to the certification label typically located on the driver’s side door or the adjacent B-pillar. The vehicle tested was a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta S 4-door, which Volkswagen engineers retrofitted with the updated airbag computer to reflect the safety features of the improved 2013 models.
It is also crucial to understand that these safety assessments do not extend to the station wagon variant of the Jetta, known as the Jetta SportWagen. This model is constructed on an earlier platform and thus has a different safety profile.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted the small overlap frontal crash test, assessing various aspects of vehicle safety. The evaluation criteria and the Jetta’s performance are detailed below:
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Evaluation | Marginal (M) |
| Structure and safety cage | Marginal (M) |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | Good (G) |
| Chest | Good (G) |
| Hip/thigh | Good (G) |
| Lower leg/foot | Poor (P) |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | Marginal (M) |
The analysis revealed a mixed safety performance for the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta in the small overlap frontal crash test. While demonstrating “Good” protection for the head/neck, chest, and hip/thigh regions, indicating effective upper body protection, the lower leg/foot area received a “Poor” rating. Furthermore, the overall evaluation and the assessment of driver restraints and dummy kinematics, along with the structural integrity, were deemed “Marginal.”
Action shot during the small overlap frontal crash test of a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, highlighting the vehicle’s deformation upon impact.
A key concern highlighted in the test was the performance of the driver restraints and the movement of the crash test dummy. During the impact, the dummy’s head made only minimal contact with the frontal airbag before sliding off to the left. This occurred as the steering column shifted significantly, moving 14 centimeters to the right. This displacement left the dummy’s head vulnerable to potential contact with the vehicle’s forward structure, increasing the risk of head injury. Adding to the complexity, the frontal airbag module detached from the steering column during the crash. Although this detachment happened relatively late in the collision and seemingly didn’t directly alter the dummy’s movement, such occurrences are not considered ideal and indicate a potential flaw in the restraint system’s performance. On a positive note, the side curtain airbag deployed as intended and provided adequate forward coverage, effectively shielding the head from impacts with side structures and external objects.
The position of the crash test dummy after the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta small overlap crash, illustrating the extent of intrusion into the driver’s survival space.
The post-crash analysis of the dummy’s position relative to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel revealed that the driver’s survival space was not optimally maintained. This indicates significant intrusion into the occupant compartment, which can elevate the risk of injuries.
Close-up view of the detached frontal airbag module and shifted steering column in the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta following the crash test.
Further examination of the crash dynamics revealed that the dummy’s head barely grazed the frontal airbag before sliding off to the left as the steering column moved to the right. The detachment of the frontal airbag module from the steering column, even late in the crash sequence, is a noteworthy anomaly that should ideally not occur in a crash situation.
Intrusion of the door hinge pillar and footrest area in the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta small overlap crash test, pointing to potential lower leg injuries.
The intrusion of the door hinge pillar and left footrest, caused by the wheel and tire being pushed rearward during the crash, significantly contributed to the “Poor” rating for lower leg/foot protection. This intrusion indicates a heightened risk of injury to the driver’s left lower leg in a real-world small overlap frontal crash.
Detailed technical measurements from the test provide further insight into the structural deformation and potential injury risks:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN1233 |
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 27 |
| Footrest (cm) | 19 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 9 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 4 |
| Parking brake (cm) | N/A |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 11 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Steering column | 6 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 8 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 15 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 18 |
The measurements of occupant compartment intrusion highlight the extent of structural deformation in the lower and upper areas of the driver’s side. Notably, the lower hinge pillar experienced a maximum intrusion of 27 cm, and the footrest was pushed back by 19 cm.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEN1233 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 191 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.8 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 16 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.28 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 27 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 2.3 |
| Right | 1.1 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 1 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 1.32 |
| Right | 0.42 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 6.6 |
| Right | 2.3 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 276 |
| Right | 80 |
The driver injury measures provide data on the forces and accelerations experienced by the crash test dummy. The Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) was measured at 191, and there was no hard contact recorded for peak gs at hard contact for the head. Chest compression was 27mm, and femur forces were 2.3 kN (left) and 1.1 kN (right). However, the tibia index for the left leg was relatively high at 1.32, correlating with the “Poor” lower leg/foot rating. The foot acceleration for the left foot was also significantly higher at 276g compared to the right foot at 80g, further indicating a higher impact on the left lower extremity.
Conclusion
The small overlap frontal crash test of the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta reveals a mixed safety performance. While the vehicle offers good protection for the head, neck, chest, and hip/thigh, there are significant concerns regarding lower leg/foot protection and the structural integrity in this severe crash scenario. The issues with driver restraints, particularly the airbag and steering column, also warrant attention. For prospective buyers of a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, especially models built after October 2012 with the updated airbags, it is crucial to consider these findings alongside other safety ratings and vehicle characteristics to make an informed decision.
