Heavy-Duty Trucks Finally Get Safety Ratings — And Some Fail Miserably

For the first time ever, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has published safety evaluations for heavy-duty trucks and commercial vans, filling a critical gap in public safety data. Unlike passenger cars, SUVs, and even full-size trucks, commercial vehicles—including heavy-duty pickups and cargo vans—have long operated outside standard Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). As a result, they’ve never received star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or been assessed by independent organizations like the IIHS. That changes now. The IIHS evaluated 11 commercial vehicles—three heavy-duty pickup trucks and eight cargo vans—on five essential safety features commonly required in passenger vehicles: standard front and side airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners, seat belt force limiters, and seat belt reminders. Scoring was pass/fail, marked with a green checkmark or red “X.” The results were mixed. Four vehicles achieved perfect scores: the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, 2025 Ford F-350 Super Duty, 2025 Ram ProMaster 2500, and the BrightDrop 400. The remaining seven failed in at least one category. The 2025 Ford Transit T250, 2025 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500, 2025 Rivian Delivery 500, 2025 Chevrolet Express 2500, and 2025 Ram 3500 all missed the mark on seat belt reminders. The Chevrolet Express 2500 also failed due to the absence of standard seat belt force limiters. The IIHS plans to expand its evaluations later this year, adding data on automatic emergency braking and headlight performance. The move comes as commercial vehicles account for a disproportionate share of roadway fatalities: in 2023, 6,535 people were killed in crashes involving heavy- or medium-duty trucks or light vans—16% of all U.S. road deaths. IIHS President David Harkey emphasized the importance of this initiative: “For decades, IIHS has helped consumers prioritize safety in their car-buying decisions. These initial evaluations mark our first foray into commercial vehicles, which for too long have been an afterthought when it comes to regulations and safety information.” The IIHS’s push aligns with its 30×30 vision to cut road fatalities by 30% by 2030, following a 30% spike in crash deaths from 2014 to 2022. While stronger regulations could help, the IIHS believes public transparency through safety ratings will empower commercial buyers—including businesses and private owners—to choose safer models and reduce fatalities. The shift is particularly timely as more heavy-duty trucks are now used as personal vehicles, not just work trucks. The exemption from standard safety testing, once justified by their size and purpose, now feels outdated in a landscape where these trucks are increasingly driven daily by non-commercial users.