Hello,

I'm curious about safety aspects of 3rd gen max in case of an accident, front, rear, side, etc. I already own one, so it's not a purchase decision. I remember watching a TV clip where it mentioned that passenger safety was vastly improved from 3rd to 4th gen max.

Anyone have a collision/accident story to share? I'd like to hear that someone walked away from a bad collision (which I read often in Volvo forum), but even if not, I'm curious how well 3rd gen max does in collision. At NHTSA site, it received 3 stars (out of 5) in frontal collision, for driver's side and and passenger's side. Any real life stories out there?

Note that this is *not* for amusement. Being a Volvo owner, I'm trying to understand how well/poorly the car protects passengers.

Also, anyone have bad experience with the automatic shoulder belt, other than occasionally getting tangled up trying to get out too fast?

It's a slow day at work...

TIA.

 

Last spring I hit a late-model Cavalier on the highway.. it was the "worst driving day" of the year or something (an accident every 1/2 mile on that strech of highway it seemed). The Cav and I were going 45 in the fast lane and she slowed down; I didn't notice because her 3rd brake light was covered with snow, so I hit the brakes. No ABS, forgot to pump, the brakes locked, and nowhere to go but into the back of her car. I hit at about 35 mph.

Anyway, damage report. No damage whatsoever to her car. The right side of my bumper wrinkled (the part underneath the amber turn signal on the pass. side) and my front right turn signal smashed. Total self-repair cost: $19

 

Accident Number Two

A couple of months after first accident (no snow now). I was turning left at a standard 4-way intersection. It was dark, drizzly, streets were wet. I turned left but lost traction (I have a 5spd so it's easy to do so) while simultaneously misjudged oncoming vehicle's speed. Turns out it was an early-90's Ford Explorer. What a monster. It hit my right-rear quarterpanel and spun me 90 degrees.

Damage report: Ford Explorer got an unnoticeable dent in her front bumper. Maxima: complete destruction of quarterpanel and right-rear taillight. Repairs: took to body shop, they simply pulled out the qp so it looks like wrinkled aluminum foil, and replaced taillight. Replaced rear anti-sway bar as well. Power antenna does not work and cabin trunk-release lever is ineffective -- must use key to open trunk. Paint is chipping in places but no rust for 7 months. Total repair cost: over $500.

So my assessment of the Maxima's safety in a crash is good. I'm still alive after getting hit by a Ford Explorer (the solid steel kind, not the new plastic ones) and the car still works fine as before. I'd trust this thing with my life; it's solid as a rock even at extremely high speeds and withstands all the **** I give it. Thank goodness for solid steel.

 

sorry, but fortunately ive never been in a bad accident so i cant b of much help ...however, i was hit recently by an acura vigor, tore the front of his car up, bumper, lights, radiator cracked, etc...but 2 my car only the spare tire well was dented in...the car takes small rear impacts well i think (dont ask me how i know...hehe) but also, if u do go w/ a max, make sure u use the lap belt 2, the shoulder belt alone just isnt enuf...why? cause i didnt use it and now i have lower back pain...gaw

 

Well, newer cars are your best bet for safety of course. They really have improved tremendously on the safety front.

One thing that's bad for safety in our maximas is that durn motorized shoulder belt. Just not good at all from safety point of view. Wear your lap belt! Look what happened to Niki Taylor (the supermodel). She was in a 3rd gen, I believe when she was involved in that accident awhile ago. The car hit a telephone pole, I think. She wasn't wearing her lap belt, and was seriously injured! Like her liver was cut in half or something. Was in hospital for months.

But then again, Princess Diana was killed riding on Mercedes S-class, arguably about the safest car you can ride on. So if it's your time to go... But she wasn't wearing her seat belt. So buckle up for safety!

 

Speaking of the auto seatbelts, if you dont wear the lap belt you take a chance of beheading your self. I have heard stories about people actually being sliced in the neck because they falied to wear their lap belt thinking the shoulder belt was good enough.

 

three days after my 22nd b-day, i was involved in a rollover. had both my lap and shoulder belt on. my passenger only had his shoulder belt. anyways, we were lucky - we both walked away from the accident with cuts on hands and top of our heads - my moonroof broke and threw glass and dirt on our heads.

it was a few months later that my lower back started to hurt - may or may not be from the accident.

anybody got problems with the shoulder belt breaking off the sun visor? had it happen to me - er, my dad did it to my car.

 

My automatic shoulder belt just broke off my sun visor - I was in a big hurry to catch my bus to work - what an idiot - anyway I need a replacement any ideas besides the local Nissan dealer?
I have a 89 GXE, Grandma Green

 

in january 2002 i was in a bad accident with my sisters 90 toyota camry with automatic seatbelts...i hit a telephone pole going somewhere between 65 and 75 mph...it was in a 40 mph zone...crushed the whole front end of the car in like 1 1/2 feet...and broke the pole in half...it was really close to falling on the car...i didnt have my lap belt on and i walked away with only severe whiplash...if it wasnt for automatic seatbelts i probably wouldnt be alive..needless to say i love automatic seatbelts...and i dont speed as much anymore