A crash-tested dog car restraint harness has survived a simulated crash, but the label alone proves nothing — only a published third-party test result does.
Most “crash tested” packaging means almost nothing. In the Center for Pet Safety’s landmark harness study, most products evaluated failed under simulated crash conditions — some catastrophically. Subaru of America sponsored that 2013 study, still the clearest picture U.S. drivers have of which car restraints for dogs hold up. Understanding what the label promises versus what it proves is the difference between securing your dog and strapping a projectile to your back seat.
What Does “Crash Tested” Actually Prove?
Crash tested means the product underwent a crash simulation, not that it passed. Manufacturers can run a single sled test, film it, and print “crash tested” without publishing the protocol, speed, result, or supervisor.
CPS separates products that performed well from those that merely underwent testing. Certified restraints earned that mark; generic claims didn’t. In the 2013 study, only one brand offered crash protection at all — the rest failed outright or showed serious structural flaws. Catastrophic failure, where the harness or hardware tore apart, showed up in many products.
Ask: not “is this crash tested?” but “who tested it, at what speed, and where are the results?”
How The CPS And Subaru Study Set The Standard
Modern pet-harness testing traces to a 2011 CPS pilot study, which led to the 2013 harness study sponsored by Subaru of America. CPS combined quasi-static and dynamic testing under FMVSS 213 crash conditions — the federal standard for child restraints.
Subaru’s October 2013 release describes how it worked: specially designed crash test dogs at 25 lb, 45 lb, and 75 lb, tested at an independent lab contracted by NHTSA, MGA Research Corporation. Sleepypod’s Clickit Utility Harness came out on top — the only harness to consistently keep a dog from launching off the seat. CPS’s summary names the same brand as top performer. The study’s real contribution was a repeatable protocol and published results — what separates a certification from a claim, and why CPS launched its Certified Program in 2015.
Which Harnesses Actually Carry Verified Results?
A handful of products carry published third-party results or certification with testing detail attached. Everything else is unverified until you find the paperwork.
| Harness | Verified Testing Claim | What’s Documented |
|---|---|---|
| Sleepypod Clickit Utility | Top performer, 2013 CPS study | Only harness that consistently prevented launch off the seat |
| Sleepypod Clickit Sport | CPS 5 Star Safety Rating | Validated at 30 MPH in accredited labs |
| Sleepypod Clickit Sport | FMVSS 213 / CMVSS 213 / ECE R4 | Tested to U.S., Canada, and EU child safety standards |
| CarSafe Crash Tested Harness | Certified up to 32 kg | Tested at an Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance registered facility |
| Kurgo Tru-Fit Enhanced Strength | Evaluated, 2013 CPS study | Appears in the study’s tested-model list |
| IMMI PetBuckle | Evaluated, 2013 CPS study | Appears in the study’s tested-model list |
| Ruff Rider, RC Pet, Klein Metal Allsafe, Bergan, Solvit | Evaluated, 2013 CPS study | Additional models named in the study results |
CPS named the other tested models in its results: RC Pet Canine Friendly Crash Tested, Klein Metal Allsafe, Ruff Rider, Bergan Car Harness, Kurgo Tru-Fit Enhanced Strength, IMMI PetBuckle, and Solvit Safety Harness (Original). For the current field side by side, this tested roundup of car restraints for dogs puts certified options next to unverified ones. Two authoritative sources anchor everything above: CPS’s 2013 harness crash-test study results and Subaru’s press release on the study.
What To Check Before You Strap Your Dog In
A walking harness is not a car restraint, and no amount of sturdy webbing changes that.
- Published results or certification. Look for CPS certification or a claim naming the testing body, standard, and speed. Anything vaguer is marketing.
- Weight limit and dog size. Match the harness to your dog’s weight, not the breed on the box.
- Seat belt and tether compatibility. The CPS study tested restraints under crash conditions, not everyday leash use. Confirm the harness works with your vehicle’s seat belt and tether setup.
- One honest caveat. There is no universal pet-harness crash-test standard in the U.S., so “passes” always means “passes the specific test someone chose to run.”
FAQs
Is a crash-tested label enough to trust a harness?
No. The label only says someone ran a crash simulation, not that the product protected the dog. Trust requires a published result or certification from a credible third party such as the Center for Pet Safety, with the test protocol and speed disclosed.
Do most dog car harnesses actually pass crash testing?
Most do not. CPS’s 2013 study, sponsored by Subaru, found the large majority of tested restraints failed or showed serious flaws, and only one brand offered crash protection consistently. The results are public, so you can check any model against the tested field.
Can I use my regular walking harness in the car?
A harness built for walks has not been evaluated for crash restraint, so it should not be treated as one. Use a product with a published third-party test result, and confirm it matches your dog’s weight and your vehicle’s seat belt and tether setup.
References & Sources
- Center for Pet Safety. “2013 Harness Crash Test Study Results” Supports the 2013 study findings, top performer, and failure rates.
- Subaru of America. “Study Shows Many Pet Car Safety Restraints Unsafe” Supports the crash test dog weights, MGA Research lab, and Clickit Utility findings.
- Center for Pet Safety. “2013 Harness Crashworthiness Study Summary” Supports the FMVSS 213 test conditions and top-performing brand.