The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) created the 5-Star Safety Ratings Program to provide consumers with information about the crash protection and rollover safety of new vehicles beyond what is required by Federal law. One star is the lowest rating; five stars is the highest. More stars equal safer cars.

Here is the list of model year 2021 vehicle models selected for crash testing under NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings Program.

Yes, other organizations test crash vehicles, but NHTSA is the only organization that rates rollover resistance, in addition to frontal and side crashworthiness.

Yes, some vehicle star ratings that were rated higher under the older Safety Ratings system may be lower under the new 5-Star Safety Ratings system. However, it does not mean that your current 4- or 5-star vehicle is unsafe. Due to more vigorous testing, a vehicle that once received 5 stars under the old system, may receive a lower score under the new system, even if no changes have been made to the model.

NHTSA’s 5-Star Ratings Program has a limited budget and must concentrate its ratings on front and side-impact crashes that are responsible for the highest percentage of deaths and serious injuries.

NHTSA categorizes vehicles by class and “curb” weight. Curb weight is the weight of a vehicle with standard equipment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil, coolant, and air conditioning. Passenger cars are further subdivided.

• Passenger cars mini (PC/Mi) (1,500–1,999 lbs.)
• Passenger cars light (PC/L) (2,000–2,499 lbs.)
• Passenger cars compact (PC/C) (2,500–2,999 lbs.)
• Passenger cars medium (PC/Me) (3,000–3,499 lbs.)
• Passenger cars heavy (PC/H) (3,500 lbs. and over )
• Sport utility vehicles (SUV)
• Pickup trucks (PU) Vans (VAN)

Side crash rating results can be compared across all classes because all vehicles are hit with the same force by the same moving barrier or pole.

Rollover ratings can also be compared across all classes. Frontal crash rating results can only be compared to other vehicles in the same class and whose weight is plus or minus 250 pounds of the vehicle being rated. This is because a frontal crash rating into a fixed barrier represents a crash between two vehicles of the same weight.

This symbol alerts consumers to a safety concern the government has about the vehicle. That concern can include: structural failure or some type of unintended performance of a vehicle component such as a fuel leakage or a door opening. Please note that safety concerns are NOT part of the calculation for an Overall Vehicle Score. A vehicle can have a high star rating, but still have a safety concern. However, if a safety concern is identified, the symbol will appear in the correct crash category and Overall Vehicle Score area.

Yes, NHTSA is constantly evaluating its New Car Assessment Program for updates. NHTSA prioritizes updates that have the greatest safety impact. NHTSA uses four prerequisites when considering updates to the program.

1. Does the update address a significant safety need?
2. Do vehicle designs exist for the update?
3. Does the update have the potential to improve safety?
4. Does an objective test procedure exist for the update?

Once the prerequisites for an update are met, NHTSA begins the updating process. 

1. Request for comments notice published in the Federal Register
   • Solicits comments on a detailed proposal
2. Receipt of public comments
   • Public submits comments to NHTSA
3. Comments resolution process 
   • NHTSA considers comments
   • Conducts additional research, if needed
4. Is a supplemental public notice/request for comments needed?
   • If yes, repeat process and begin with step 1
   • If no, move to step 5
5. Final decision notice published in the Federal Register
   • NHTSA responds to public comments
   • Final decision detailed, including lead time for changes and implementation