NHTSA released its first pedestrian-protection assessments for model-year 2027 vehicles on September 18. The results are part of the agency's New Car Assessment Program, which provides the familiar 5-Star Safety Ratings used by shoppers.
NHTSA says 102 vehicle models from 10 manufacturers met the new pedestrian-protection performance criteria in the first round. The agency's announcement does not say that every other 2027 model failed; results can also be listed as pending or not submitted.
What the record says
The testing evaluates injury risk in three impact scenarios: child and adult headforms striking the hood and windshield area, an upper-leg impact at the hood's leading edge, and a full lower-limb impact at the bumper. Together, those assessments address risk to the head, hips, legs, and knees.
A yellow box on an individual vehicle's NHTSA ratings page shows whether the model passed or failed the pedestrian criteria, or whether its result is pending or was not submitted.
The pedestrian result is one part of the safety information available for 2027 models. NHTSA continues to publish crashworthiness evaluations for frontal, side, and rollover crashes and crash-avoidance results for technologies such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, blind-spot warning, and blind-spot intervention.
A passed pedestrian assessment does not mean a vehicle prevents every pedestrian crash, and it does not replace careful driving or prove that every trim has identical equipment. Confirm which driver-assistance features are standard on the exact vehicle being considered and read the owner's manual for their limits.
For a result marked pending or not submitted, avoid treating the blank as either a pass or a failure. Check again before purchase or ask the manufacturer whether results are expected. Ratings can also change between model years, especially after a redesign, so do not transfer a 2027 result to an older vehicle without verification.
What dealers and customers should know
What this means for shoppers: search the exact model year and vehicle on NHTSA's ratings site instead of relying on an advertisement that simply says a vehicle is highly rated. Compare the pedestrian box, crash-test results, and crash-avoidance features separately because they measure different types of protection.
Why it matters
the new indicator gives buyers a useful way to consider safety beyond the people inside the vehicle. It is best used as one comparison point—not as a substitute for the complete ratings page, a test drive, or checking the exact vehicle for open recalls.
AI-assisted reporting disclosure
This article was researched and generated with AI-assisted systems using the direct references listed below. Dealership Tech Report applies automated accuracy and risk checks, but recalls, investigations, incentives and market conditions can change. Verify time-sensitive details with the cited primary source before acting.
Recall and investigation coverage applies only to vehicles included by VIN or the official campaign record. Affected populations, remedy timing and instructions can change. Check the exact VIN and current manufacturer or NHTSA guidance before sale, delivery or repair.
Cited references
- NHTSA pedestrian safety test results — September 18, 2026 — Direct reference; development dated Sep. 20, 2026
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings search — Supporting direct reference
- NHTSA pedestrian safety information — Supporting direct reference