- The 2011 Dodge Charger and 2011 Chrysler 300 have been named Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
- It's noteworthy because this is the first time that the Charger and the 300 have made it to the head of the class.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has yet to rate the Charger or the 300 under its more stringent ratings system for 2011.
ARLINGTON, Virginia — The 2011 Chrysler 300 and 2011 Dodge Charger have been named Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the first time they have ever made it to the top of the class.
"Chrysler significantly improved the safety performance of these vehicles for 2011," said the IIHS in a statement on Thursday. "The previous-generation Charger and 300 earned the second-lowest rating of marginal for side impact protection, even when equipped with side curtain airbags. The previous cars were also rated marginal for rear impact protection."
The Top Safety Pick designation is given to vehicles that have the best overall crash protection.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has yet to rate the Charger or the 300 under its more stringent ratings system for 2011.
Inside Line says: Chrysler Group now has seven Top Safety Picks for the 2011 model year. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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litewerk says:
12:41 PM, 02/04/2011
@t2e0j3
None of my Chrysler poducts nor my parents ever needed anything outside of routine maintainance/wear and tear items. OK, really, the two exceptions were my Dad got a 1957 Dodge the first year for the SweptWing cars; don't recall the exact problem. It is not uncommon for first year cars of any make to have problems in the first year. Also, the 1961 Plymouth Valiant had an engine related problem. Let me rephrase what I first said. Since the early '60's we have not had to return a car to the dealer for anything outside of routine maintainance.
smallfield says:
06:15 PM, 01/30/2011
BUT, still wouldn't go Chrysler for reliability :)
smallfield says:
06:14 PM, 01/30/2011
@ akula 1
JD power doesn't have them as high as they once were
3 year long term reliability from 2010
1. Porsche
2. Lincoln
3. Buick/Lexus
5. Mercury/Toyota
In 2009 1 and 2 were Buick and Jaguar, can't remember the rest, but you can look them up.
No Asian company in the top 2 for the last couple years. They do better on "initial quality" which is usually just 3 - 12 mos depending on the study. I keep my cars longer than that.
dgmail says:
01:16 PM, 01/30/2011
re; akula 1
I have been ignoring the small amount of minor recalls from the American automakers as much as you have been trying to ignore the massive amounts of Asian brand recalls that have been swept under the rug the last twenty years.
akula1 says:
12:22 AM, 01/30/2011
@copmotor440cid
Good question. Apart from data that you could obtain from paid sites and publications which can't be linked or scrutinized over a forum like this, the next best is experiential data like you and others apply. As someone who has travelled to more than 35 countries on every continent, except the Arctic, Toyota is the most prolifically visible brand both new and old. I'll have to differ in saying that I notice more 80's Toyotas and Hondas than Chevys and Fords in my daily life in California. You won't find many 70's Japanese cars in the US simply because they didn't import that many. It wasn't until Carter's energy crisis that Japanese cars got popular so that observation doesn't hold much weight here. How old do you think Toyota and Honda are compared to the domestics? Think about it. I clearly made a worldwide claim yet people seem to focus on their corners of the universe in response suggesting further discussion makes little sense. I too have seen many Toyota trucks go through multiple engines and trannies. It's usually the result of the owner feeling they need a bigger engine or a stroker so they swap it or do a blueprint/rebuild. I don't see such examples counting for anything. Unless you are willing to do the research or see it for yourself nobody's words will mean anything. If leading the world in sales and presence means nothing when scrutinized over an extended period of time then so be it. I'm not here to convince anyone to buy a Toyota and change what they like about a particular make. I have my 28 cylinder car collection and could care less what anybody else has. Hearing Toyota's historic reliability called a 'myth' and construing driver error and floor mats into something it isn't is just fallacious. I personally think the negative press is great for them, it's only going to force them to make even better cars and maybe one day I won't have to look at only 'J' VINs. Criticizing Toyota's reliability more than their inadequate styling speaks volumes to me. YMMV. ;)
For fun:
http://www.automotoportal.com/article/Top_5_Worlds_Most_Successful_Cars_Ever
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/14/why-rebel-groups-love-the-toyota-hilux.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/26/AR2010082604637.html
calspecial68 says:
09:59 PM, 01/29/2011
I don't understand this. Nobody can truly prove reliability, only guess at it. What it really comes down to is each individual owner and how they maintain and care for their car. I mean, if someone bought a brand new Toyota back in 1989 and treated like a rental car or worse since the day it rolled off the lot, guess what? That "reliable" Toyota isn't gonna look so great today. Same goes for someone who buys a Dodge back in 1989 and takes care of it like they should. That "unreliable" Dodge is looking pretty nice for a 22 year old truck. Besides all this, every single car is different, has different flaws and weaknesses. Even identical cars that traveled down the assembly line next to one another are completely different.
Recalls happen to every automaker, get used to it. Just because you have less doesn't neccessarily make you the better company.
copmotor440cid says:
03:23 AM, 01/29/2011
@akula1
Can you prove that statement or is it your opinion? The oldest Toyota's I see running around where I live are no older than mid 1980's, and there aren't many of them either. On the other hand, wherever I go throughout California/Oregon I consistently see tons of old domestic pickups. Many of them 1970's and earlier. Still going. I once had a friend with an 80's Toyota pickup (dually 5 spd 4 cyl). It was religiously maintained and had 499k miles on it at last count. Impressive until you consider that it had gone through SIX transmissions and FOUR engines.
akula1 says:
04:40 PM, 01/28/2011
@colorado
Obviously by your name and experience you don't live in California. The last time I saw a Chrysler minivan was probably 5 years ago. Regardless of your 'eyes' the simple truth of global numbers is just fact. A friend traded in his 500k Previa for a new Prius under Osama's Clunker program. Domestics are seen more in cold weather states due to AWD not being a Japanese feature (other than Subaru) and the old rep for poor paint problems from salt. This is Toyota's low point so enjoy it while you can. I will say I am pleased w/ Ford's rise, quality and self sufficience. I think my next ride will be a SVT Raptor, my first domestic. There should be plenty of room for a fire extinguisher. ;P Sorry but Chevy and Chrysler have a lot of shortcomings past and present on the whole to overcome before I could even consider them. My 2 cents.
colorado1974 says:
02:31 PM, 01/28/2011
akula, actually I see more old Chrysler minivans and old Chevy pickups running around than any other car.
if I had a dollar for every Chrysler minivan with 300,000 miles on it that was traded for a new one, I'd be a rich man.
Toyota had a good reputation. Now they have an average reputation.
sarahpalin says:
11:33 AM, 01/28/2011
There certainly are alot of union types reading Inside Line. Rush Limbaugh says you unions suck!