The test is typically applied to non-complex products which consumers might have expectations for.
For example, consumers will typically not have specific safety expectations revolving around the design of landing gear on an airplane except for the fact that they do not want, or expect, to crash while the plane is landing.
However, some jurisdictions apply the consumer expectation test to design defects as well.
The official definition of consumer expectation test: An unreasonably dangerous product is one that is dangerous to an extent beyond that which would be contemplated by the ordinary consumer who purchases it, with the ordinary knowledge common to the community of its characteristics.
This test is commonly applied in product liability cases in the United States.