Minivans produced by five different manufacturers have earned the highest possible safety ratings in the latest crash tests by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The minivans, including carryover vehicles from Model Year 2004, that earned the top rating of 5-stars for all seating positions in frontal and side crash tests were: Chrysler Town & Country long-wheel base (later release); Dodge Grand Caravan (later release); Kia Sedona; Mazda MPV and the Nissan Quest. The Honda Odyssey also received 5-stars for all seating positions in frontal and side crash tests; however, the driver's door unlatched and opened during the side crash test and thus a safety concern is noted.

All results are available at the agency's web site: www.safercar.gov.

New 2005 ratings for frontal impact also are available for the following minivans: Buick Terraza; Chevrolet Uplander (early and late release); Chrysler Town & Country long-wheel base minivan (early release), Chrysler Town & Country short-wheel base; Dodge Caravan; Dodge Grand Caravan (early release); Ford Freestar; Honda Odyssey; Pontiac Montana SV6; Saturn RELAY; and Toyota Sienna. Frontal scores also are available for the Chevrolet Express 1500 and Ford E150 vans. Both early and late release frontal crash test results also are available for the Saturn RELAY, Chevrolet Uplander, Buick Terraza and Pontiac Montana.

New 2005 ratings for side impact are available for the following minivans: Buick Terraza; Chevrolet Uplander; Chrysler Town & Country long-wheel base (early release); Dodge Grand Caravan; Ford Freestar; Honda Odyssey; Pontiac Montana SV6; Saturn RELAY (early and late release) and Toyota Sienna.

According to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, manufacturer side-impact testing of an earlier version of the Chevrolet Uplander showed the release handle of the second-row bucket seat may come unlatched, increasing the potential for injury to the occupant. A recall was initiated by General Motors to address the unlatching in the Chevrolet Uplander, Saturn RELAY, and Pontiac Montana minivans manufactured prior to January 21, 2005. GM intends to begin customer notification in early April. NHTSA side-impact crash test results apply to all 2005 Saturn RELAY, Chevrolet Uplander, Buick Terraza and Pontiac Montana minivans.

New 2005 rollover ratings are available for the: Chrysler PT Cruiser, Ford E-150 van and the Honda Odyssey minivan.

(CONTINUE...)