Auto crash test data slated for window stickers in 2007

by Center for Personal Finance editors

NEW YORK (10/2/06)--Within a year, car buyers will have a new shopping tool at their disposal while browsing at the dealership, conveniently located right on the window sticker (Associated Press via MSNBC.com Sept. 7).

Crash test data have been available for some time on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTS) website at safercar.gov, but new regulations stipulate it must be added to window stickers on new vehicles by September 2007. Currently, the stickers contain pricing, fuel economy, and equipment for each vehicle.

The "Stars on Cars" bill was included in last year's federal highway legislation. NHTSA rates vehicles on a scale of one to five stars--with five stars as the highest score--to help car buyers compare two or more vehicles' ability to withstand a crash and the likelihood of a rollover.

The law covers passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and vans, but not pickup trucks.