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Car buying guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Car Safety Ratings Explained: NHTSA 5-Star Ratings
Those stars on the window label come from crash tests and rollover evaluations. Here is how the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests and rates new vehicles, and how to read the results.
1-5Stars: more stars equal safer cars
35 mphFrontal crash test speed
250 lbWeight window for frontal comparisons
1993Year the 5-star system began
The short answer
NHTSA rates new vehicles from one to five stars using frontal crash, side barrier, side pole and rollover tests. Five stars means the overall injury risk is much less than average. Compare frontal and overall scores only within the same class and within 250 pounds; side and rollover results compare across all classes.
What the 5-Star Safety Ratings are
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) created the 5-Star Safety Ratings to give shoppers information about the crash protection and rollover safety of new vehicles, beyond what federal law requires. One star is the lowest rating and five stars is the highest. More stars equal safer cars.
NHTSA runs frontal, side and rollover tests because those crash types account for the majority of crashes on America's roads.
The tests behind the stars
| Test | How it works | Injuries evaluated |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal crash | The vehicle hits a fixed barrier at 35 mph, with an average-size adult male dummy driving and a small-size adult female dummy in the front passenger seat | Head, neck, chest and femur (leg) |
| Side barrier | A 3,015 lb moving barrier crashes at 38.5 mph into a standing vehicle, like an intersection crash | Head, chest, abdomen and pelvis |
| Side pole | The vehicle, angled at 75 degrees, is pulled sideways at 20 mph into a 25 cm pole at the driver's seat, with a small-size adult female dummy driving | Head, chest, lower spine, abdomen and pelvis |
| Rollover resistance | A measurement of how top-heavy the vehicle is (Static Stability Factor) plus a driving maneuver that checks whether it tends to tip up | Risk of rollover |
From NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings page, read November 10, 2026.
What each star level means
The Overall Vehicle Score combines the frontal and side results with the rollover result, weighted by how often each crash type causes injuries in the real world, and compares the vehicle with the average injury risk of the whole fleet.
| Stars | Overall injury risk (NHTSA wording) |
|---|---|
| 5 | Much less than average |
| 4 | Less than average to average |
| 3 | Average to greater than average |
| 2 | Greater than average |
| 1 | Much greater than average |
NHTSA also flags safety concerns separately. They are not part of the overall score, so a vehicle can have a high star rating and still carry a safety concern.
How to compare vehicles fairly
Frontal and overall
Compare only with vehicles in the same class whose weight is within 250 pounds. NHTSA says comparing a 4,500 lb SUV with a 3,000 lb sedan is not permissible.
Side and rollover
These results can be compared across all classes.
Look it up
Search NHTSA's ratings by vehicle or by manufacturer, or use its Compare Vehicles tool.
Window label
Since 2006, NHTSA has required window labels on new vehicles to include 5-Star Safety Ratings information.
Technologies NHTSA recommends
Alongside the ratings, NHTSA suggests looking for driver assistance technologies that have met its performance tests: Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Crash Imminent Braking and Dynamic Brake Support. See our driver assistance features guide for what these do.
Service at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Michigan City Ford is a new and used Ford dealership in Michigan City, IN, with its own service department.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 10, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Car safety ratings FAQ
What are NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings?
They come from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program and show the crash protection and rollover safety of new vehicles. One star is the lowest and five stars is the highest.
What crash tests does NHTSA run?
A frontal crash test at 35 mph, a side barrier test, a side pole test and a rollover resistance evaluation.
What does a 5-star overall rating mean?
NHTSA says the overall injury risk for that vehicle is much less than average.
Can I compare star ratings between an SUV and a sedan?
Side and rollover ratings, yes. Frontal and overall ratings can only be compared with vehicles in the same class within 250 pounds of each other.
Where do I find a vehicle's safety rating?
Search NHTSA's ratings at nhtsa.gov/ratings. New vehicle window labels also include 5-Star Safety Ratings information.
How long has NHTSA rated cars?
NHTSA began frontal impact testing and rating in 1978 and started using the 5-Star Safety Ratings system in 1993.
More car buying guides
See how to check a vehicle for recalls and driver assistance features explained.
Sources
Test descriptions, star definitions, comparison rules and history are from NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings page, read November 10, 2026. Look up a specific vehicle's ratings on NHTSA's site. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- NHTSA: 5-Star Safety Ratings, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), read November 10, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026