F3 model cars made by BYD Auto Co Ltd (BYD) received a score of zero in two crash tests, according to data from China-New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP), Shanghai-based National Business Daily (NBD) reported Thursday.

A test of the upper-legs protection during front impact got a zero rating out of a maximum score of 2, while chest protection during the side impact test also received a score of zero.

C-NCAP gave the BYD car an overall rating of 3 stars, ranking it seventh out of more than 20 type-A passenger vehicles sold in the Chinese auto market.

Chongqing Lifan Auto 520 was the only other car that received a zero in upper-legs protection while eight autos failed the chest protection test, according to NBD.

An industry analyst said that several Chinese auto brands have flaws in their safety configuration, technology and consistency of products, which may have caused the low rating in the crash test.

Recently, BYD F3 cars were found to have airbags that failed to automatically open during crashes. In several cases the defect caused severe injuries and even death, NBD reported.