The 2007 Nissan Pathfinder Se underwent a series of crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This article summarizes the results of those tests, focusing on the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint evaluations.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test
The 2007 Nissan Pathfinder SE received a “Good” overall rating in the moderate overlap front crash test. This test simulates a frontal collision with another vehicle or a fixed object, impacting 40% of the vehicle’s front end. The Pathfinder’s structure and safety cage performed well, maintaining the driver’s survival space. Measurements indicated good protection for the driver’s head, neck, and chest. However, forces on the lower legs and feet were high, suggesting a possibility of injury in those areas.
The image above depicts the moment of impact during the moderate overlap front test.
This image showcases the driver’s survival space maintained after the impact. The dummy’s position relative to the steering wheel and dashboard indicates adequate protection.
As seen here, the dummy’s head made contact only with the head restraint during rebound, minimizing the risk of neck injury.
This image highlights the areas where high forces were measured on the feet and left lower leg, indicating a potential for injury.
Side Impact Crash Test
The IIHS conducted two side impact crash tests on the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder SE: one with optional side airbags and one without. The model with side airbags earned a “Good” overall rating, demonstrating good protection for both the driver and rear passenger. However, the model without side airbags received a “Marginal” overall rating due to the potential for head injuries from impacts with the window glass and intruding barrier. The presence of side airbags significantly improved occupant protection in a side impact collision.
This photo shows the 2007 Nissan Pathfinder SE immediately after the side impact crash test with side airbags deployed.
Here, the deployed side airbags are visible, demonstrating their role in protecting occupants during a side impact.
Roof Strength Test
The 2007 Nissan Pathfinder SE (tested using a 2010 model) received a “Marginal” rating in the roof strength test. This test measures the force required to crush the roof and is crucial for evaluating rollover protection. While the Pathfinder’s roof did not meet the requirements for a “Good” rating, it still provided some level of protection in a rollover scenario.
Head Restraints and Seats
The 2007 Nissan Pathfinder SE received a “Marginal” rating for its head restraints and seats. This evaluation assesses the ability of the head restraints to prevent neck injuries in rear-end collisions. While the geometry of the seats and head restraints was deemed “Good,” the dynamic performance in a simulated rear-end crash was less than ideal, resulting in the “Marginal” rating.
Conclusion
The 2007 Nissan Pathfinder SE performed well in several key crash tests conducted by the IIHS, particularly in the moderate overlap front test when equipped with optional side airbags. However, the “Marginal” ratings for roof strength and head restraints highlight areas where improvements could be made to enhance overall safety. These ratings provide valuable information for consumers considering a used 2007 Nissan Pathfinder SE.
