Beginning with 2012 models, design changes were made to the side curtain airbags in both the Frontier and Equator to improve occupant protection in side impact crashes. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Nissan as part of side crash test verification. However, because there were no significant side structural changes, the structure rating of the most recent model is based on both Nissan's test and two earlier Institute tests of 2008 and 2010 Frontier models.

Injury Measures:
In each test, measures taken from the head, neck, and chest indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. In the test conducted by Nissan, forces on the left knee, right tibia, and right foot indicate that left knee and right lower leg and foot injuries would be possible. (In the Institute's test, forces on the left knee and both tibias indicate that knee and lower leg injuries would be possible.)

Restraints / Dummy Kinematics:
Dummy movement was well controlled in both tests. After the dummy moved forward into the airbag, it rebounded into the seat without its head coming close to any stiff structure that could cause injury.

Side airbags became standard beginning with 2010 models (they had been optional in 2005-09 models). The Suzuki Equator was introduced in the 2009 model year with standard side airbags. Structure ratings are based on this test and on an earlier test of a 2008 Frontier model without side airbags.

Driver Injury Measures:
Measures taken from the dummy indicate that rib fractures would be possible in a crash of this severity. The risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low.

Driver Head Protection:
The dummy’s head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.

Passenger Injury Measures:
Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Passenger Head Protection:
The dummy’s head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.