A crossbeam (1, 15, 20, 25) for a vehicle, composed of at least two components and each having a connecting part at its end, designed as an instrument panel support, which crossbeam components (2, 3; 16 - 18; 21 - 24; 26, 27) extend longitudinally along the crossbeam and are positively connected to each other to form the crossbeam (1, 15, 20, 25), wherein two crossbeam components (2, 3; 16 - 18; 21 - 24; 26, 27) are arranged with an overlap (6) to each other, in that these crossbeam components (2, 3; 16 - 18; 21 - 24; 26, 27) are designed such that one crossbeam component (3, 18, 21, 22, 26) engages with one end section into the open end of the other The crossbeam component (2, 16, 24, 27) is inserted, characterized in that the two crossbeam components (2, 3; 16 - 18; 21 - 24; 26, 27) are connected by at least one element arranged in the overlap (6), which connects the two crossbeam components (2, 3; 16 - 18; 21 - 24;26, 27) or parts thereof are connected to each other by mutually clamping fasteners such that the force transmission between the two crossbeam components (2, 3; 16 - 18; 21 - 24; 26, 27) results from a preload force provided by at least one
fastener, and that a
fastener penetration (8) of at least one of the two crossbeam components (2, 3; 16 - 18; 21 - 24; 26, 27) is designed with a clearance that allows for elongation of the crossbeam (1, 15, 20, 25) in the event of a frontal
impact, so that if a force acting on the crossbeam (1, 15, 20, 25) in the event of a frontal
impact is exceeded, which is higher than a clamping force set between the two crossbeam components by the preload of at least one
fastener (2, 3; 16 - 18; 21 - 24; 26, 27), the two crossbeam components (2, 3; 16 - 18; 21 - 24;26, 27) are adjustable against each other within the limits permitted by the movement.;