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Are you in the market for a used SUV or minivan? Many families believe that buying an older model vehicle can save them extensively on costs, and also help ensure that they get a "proven" safe vehicle. In most cases, this is true; however, it is critical that any time you are looking at an SUV or minivan purchase that you do your homework.
Take, for example, the case of the pre-1996 Nissan Pathfinders. One family purchased a 1994 Nissan Pathfinder to give the expectant mother a safer vehicle. Encountering a large piece of debris in the road, she was forced to swerve suddenly. The vehicle rolled over several times, crushing the mother and killing her almost instantly. The husband and his two children were left without their loving mother - forever - in an instant.
Unfortunately, this didn't have to happen. All SUV's today are sold with little warnings adhered to the rear of the driver's side visor. These advise drivers that sudden swerves or high-speed turns can cause the car to rollover.
Nonetheless, there are instances when all drivers are forced to brake, swerve or turn suddenly. And most SUV's and minivans can sustain these maneuvers, with varying risk of rollover. What is truly tragic about this case, however, is not the rollover itself. It is the fact that some basic research on the vehicle, prior to buying it, might have told this family that the Nissan Pathfinder they were taking home had already been rated as unsafe.
In fact, "The Minivan, Pickup and 4x4 Book: The Definitive Buyer's Guide to Safety, Economy, Maintenance and More", by Jack Gillis, Published Harper Perennial, 1993, rated the Nissan Pathfinder as having a Very High Rollover rating, one of the highest rollover ratings of all SUV's. It also described the Pathfinder's failure in the Safety area. Specifically, the car received a Poor rating on the Driver's Side Head area -- meaning that an "Impact would most likely seriously injure or kill occupants". Sadly, this is exactly what happened to the mother.
This data applies to the pre-1996 Pathfinders only; Nissan revised the body style in 1996 and incorporated a stronger frame to address this issue.
So, what is the lesson in all of this? First of all, it is important for all of us to heed the warnings posted on the visor. Any high-based vehicle, be it an SUV, minivan or truck can roll if it is forced to turn at a high rate of speed. Safe and defensive driving, combined with an awareness of the road conditions can decrease your risk of needing to perform a high-speed turn.
In addition, any buyer looking to acquire an SUV, truck or minivan - new or used - should carefully research the safety performance of the vehicle they are considering. An alarming number of vehicles out there today are rated unsafe on one or more major criteria. Vehicles like the 1994 Nissan Pathfinder, with a high rollover probability combined with a poor driver's head protection rating should definitely be avoided.
The moral is to do your research before you buy. Don't be rushed into a purchase when your safety - and that of your family - is at risk. A little research can go a long way toward helping you understand the vehicle you are considering, and alerting you to any hidden dangers. Do your homework before you buy. Remember, your family's life may depend on it.
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