Renault had introduced the second generation Duster SUV in 2019 for the South American markets. The SUV is produced in Brazil at the plant in Sao Jose dos Pinhais. A new crash test conducted by Latin NCAP reveals a shocking result for the new Brazilian-spec Duster.
The second generation Duster failed the New Car Assessment Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean. The SUV received a zero-star rating in the LATIN NCAP crash test. The SUV showed signs of fuel leakage on frontal impact. Adding to it, the SUV flipped over in the side impact, which affected the B-pillar and caused one of the doors to open.
The Renault Duster was equipped with double airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard. The popular SUV achieved 29.47% in Adult Occupant box, 22.93% in Child Occupant box, 50.79% in Pedestrian Protection and Vulnerable Road Users box and 34.88% in Safety Assist box. The New Duster for Latin America does not offer side body and side head protection airbags as standard like the model sold in Europe under Dacia brand.
Door opening in Latin NCAP side impact test, which has same configuration as Regulation UN95, means that the car would have failed the UN95 test. The fuel leak recorded in the frontal crash test needs further action from Renault, not just to solve the problem in production but to recall all the units sold in the market that potentially have this problem in the fuel tank in a crash. In the same line the door opening in the side impact requires immediate action by Renault as it poses a serious risks of ejection in the case of side impacts.
Stephan Brodziak, Latin NCAP Chairman said, “Sadly, we see very bad results for two vehicles that are highly marketed in our region. Once again we see betrayed the trust that consumers place in certain manufacturers. It is very discriminating that, after more than 10 years of evaluating the safety performance of vehicles marketed in Latin America and the Caribbean, we continue to see 0-star cars. In terms of vehicle safety, we are still treated as second-class citizens just so that some manufacturers can save money on vehicle production. The money these manufacturers save translates into fatalities and serious injuries that impact families and the economy of our region. Latin America doesn’t deserve more 0-star cars, enough of low-safety cars”.
