A fresh report from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has detailed the marginal rating that the Jeep Wrangler JL got for its small overlap (front) crash test done by the institute. During this test, the new Jeep Wrangler JL, which is actually a 2018 model year redesign, tipped over, causing the institute’s downgrade of the SUV’s rating despite the fact that it passed the real test.
New Jeep Wrangler JL tips over during a recent IIHS crash test causing the institute to downgrade its rating
According to IIHS recent press release, the reason for downgrading the Wrangler JL’s rating is because the rolling over, seen during the crash test, could actually cause more injuries to “crashing” passengers beyond what its traditional crash test will measure. The institute further stated in the press release that it will not accept a vehicle rolling over onto its side as a “good” outcome. However, we have to mention that the Wrangler JL protected the driver space pretty well including the dummy and controlled its movement all through the controversial crash test.
IIHS also noted in its press release that the removable doors and roof features of the Jeep Wrangler JL give more reason to be concerned about possible additional dangers on seeing the SUV tip over during the crash test. The institute mentioned that such tip over during a crash could pose a risk of a passenger being ejected from the SUV because of its detachable doors and roof. It was also highlighted that side curtain airbags are missing in the Wrangler JL due to its removable roof as well.
Below is the video of the new Jeep Wrangler JL’s recent IIHS crash test during which it tipped over;
Jeep Wrangler Rolls Over During IIHS Crash Test
It’s quite surprising that IIHS picked the Wrangler for an audit test based on its previous good ratings, only for this to happen. Fiat Chrysler automobile company suspected that the tipping over could be a result of IIHS engineer’s rigging method to have the SUV tested. IIHS agreed and did a new test using another method but the results came out the same; the Wrangler tipped over again onto its side. This is the reason why IIHS finally downgraded the Jeep Wrangler JL’s rating. It is worth mentioning though, that the same Wrangler never tipped over for once during FCA’s crash test.
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