Car crash test ratings: how to look them up and read them

Crash test ratings are one of the few objective safety numbers you can check on a used car before you see it. They're free, they take a minute to look up, and they're easy to misread. Here's what NHTSA's ratings measure, how to compare them fairly, and what to do when a car has no rating.

What NHTSA's 5-Star ratings measure

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings come from its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). They give information about the crash protection and rollover safety of new vehicles beyond what federal law requires. One star is the lowest rating and five stars is the highest. You can search them on NHTSA's ratings page. According to NHTSA, it began using the 5-star system in 1993, added side crash ratings in 1996 and rollover in 2000, and added an Overall Vehicle Score in 2010, so older cars may have fewer ratings or ratings on an older scale.

Frontal, side and rollover

• Frontal crash: the vehicle hits a fixed barrier at 35 mph, which represents a head-on crash between two similar vehicles of the same weight. NHTSA says frontal ratings should only be compared between vehicles in the same class within about 250 pounds of each other.
• Side barrier: a 3,015 lb moving barrier hits the standing vehicle at 38.5 mph, like an intersection crash. Side pole: the vehicle, angled at 75 degrees, slides sideways at 20 mph into a pole at the driver's position. Side ratings can be compared across all vehicles.
• Rollover resistance: based on a lab measure of how top-heavy the vehicle is (the Static Stability Factor) plus a driving manoeuvre that tests whether it tips up. Rollover ratings can also be compared across classes.

The Overall Vehicle Score blends frontal, side and rollover into one star rating compared with the average injury risk across the fleet. Because it includes the frontal result, it carries the same same-class, similar-weight comparison rule. So a 5-star overall rating on a small sedan and on a large SUV don't mean the same thing.

Watch for the ⚠ symbol on a rating. NHTSA uses it to flag a safety concern found in testing, such as a structural failure, a fuel leak or a door opening. Safety concerns aren't part of the star calculation, so a car can have high stars and still carry a warning.

Why some models have no rating

"Not Rated" means NHTSA didn't test that vehicle for that crash type. NHTSA picks a set of vehicles to test each model year, so low-volume models, some trims and some years are never rated. NHTSA notes that all vehicles sold in the US are still certified by the manufacturer as meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards. A missing rating means "no data", not "unsafe", but it does mean you have less to go on.

Comparing ratings across model years

Ratings apply to a specific model year and body style, and test procedures have changed over time. When you compare two used cars, compare ratings from the same era, and check that the rating you're reading matches the exact year, body style and drivetrain. A redesign can change results completely.

Other testers. NHTSA isn't the only crash tester. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) runs its own tests on crashworthiness and crash avoidance and publishes its own ratings and awards. Its tests and scales are different from NHTSA's, so read each on its own terms. NHTSA notes it is the only organization that rates rollover resistance in addition to frontal and side crashworthiness.

In Canada? NHTSA's ratings are for vehicles tested for the US market. Many models sold in Canada are close or identical versions, but equipment can differ, so check that the rating matches your car's configuration.

Seeing ratings in VinSage

VinSage is a free Chrome side panel that shows NHTSA frontal, side and rollover star ratings next to the listing you're viewing on AutoTrader.ca, CarGurus or Cars.com, where the model was tested. The ratings feed into its 0–100 deal score alongside recalls, owner complaints and fuel cost. To weigh safety against everything else, see is this used car a good deal?

FAQ

More free guides

• VIN recall check (US)
• VIN recall check in Canada
• Is this used car a good deal?
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VinSage is independent and is not affiliated with NHTSA, Transport Canada, IIHS, fueleconomy.gov or any listing site. Last reviewed November 1, 2026. Spot something out of date? Email [email protected].