Brand hub · IIHS data updated 2026-09-16
Ford Safety Ratings (2026)
Every current Ford model in IIHS records, scored with the same formula as our main ranking, plus real-world death rates for used Ford models where the data exists.
The safest current Ford is the 2026 Ford Mustang Mach E, scoring 95.6/100 with an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, #20 of 136 in our overall ranking. Ford has 12 current models in IIHS records, 6 with complete crash-test results; 0 earned a 2026 Top Safety Pick+ and 2 earned a Top Safety Pick.
Ford safety weighted by sales
Ford’s sales-weighted current-model score is 83.1/100, covering 30.7% of its 950,963 reported U.S. sales in January–June 2026. Its TSP+ sales-mix proxy is 0.0%. Ranges reflect unpublished variant splits, not statistical confidence intervals.
Sales basis: compiled quarterly figures. GCBC model and brand tables (Q1 + Q2 2026); GCBC brand totals. Checked 2026-09-16.
See sales weights, matched models and exclusions
| Sales bucket | Units / share | Current score | TSP+ mapping | Matched records / limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-Series | 357,801 37.6% | Not available | Unresolved | 2026 Ford F 150 (Extended cab); 2026 Ford F 150 (Crew cab); 2026 Ford F 150 Lightning Includes heavy-duty and regular-cab trucks without matching current results. |
| Explorer | 126,925 13.3% | 94.3 | No current TSP+ | 2026 Ford Explorer |
| Maverick | 81,711 8.6% | 74.0 | No current TSP+ | 2026 Ford Maverick |
| Transit | 78,925 8.3% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
| Bronco | 76,936 8.1% | Not available | Unresolved | 2026 Ford Bronco Sales combine two-door and four-door bodies; only four-door is mapped. |
| Bronco Sport | 71,487 7.5% | 71.6 | No current TSP+ | 2026 Ford Bronco Sport |
| Expedition | 40,411 4.2% | Not available | No current TSP+ | 2026 Ford Expedition At least one mapped variant lacks complete scoring evidence; this sales bucket is excluded from the mean. |
| Ranger | 34,069 3.6% | Not available | No current TSP+ | 2026 Ford Ranger At least one mapped variant lacks complete scoring evidence; this sales bucket is excluded from the mean. |
| Mustang | 28,725 3.0% | Not available | Unresolved | 2026 Ford Mustang Sales include convertible; only coupe is mapped. |
| Escape | 24,112 2.5% | Not available | No current TSP+ | 2026 Ford Escape At least one mapped variant lacks complete scoring evidence; this sales bucket is excluded from the mean. |
| E-Series | 18,229 1.9% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
| Mustang Mach E | 11,632 1.2% | 95.6 | No current TSP+ | 2026 Ford Mustang Mach E |
| Edge | 0 0.0% | Not available | Unresolved | No matching current IIHS record in this snapshot. |
How sales weighting and variant ranges work
Current ratings, weighted by January–June 2026 U.S. sales. The mean is the sum of each current score × its model’s sales, divided by sales with complete, compatible scores. High-volume models therefore count more. This changes brand aggregation only; individual vehicle scores and ranks are unchanged.
A range shows the possible mix of separately rated variants when their sales split is unpublished. We count a combined sales total once. Unmatched models, unresolved body styles and incomplete scores are excluded from the mean and reduce its sales coverage. Do not compare a brand covering a small slice of sales with one covering nearly its whole lineup as though the evidence were equal.
The TSP+ sales-mix proxy divides sales mapped to current TSP+ records by all reported brand sales. A range reflects award differences within mapped variants. Unmatched sales add nothing to this proxy; they are not rated failures. Current model years, build dates and required equipment still apply: this is a sales-mix comparison of current designs, not the percentage of vehicles delivered in the first half that actually qualified for an award. It is not a death-risk estimate.
Every current Ford ranked by safety
Where two vehicles score the same, the injury measures behind that score break the tie; vehicles matching on both share a rank. The score is 55% primary IIHS tests, 25% selected occupant-protection details, 10% pedestrian front crash prevention, and 10% class context. Missing evidence never counts as passing. Class rank compares each model with every vehicle in its IIHS class, not just other Ford models.
| Rank | Vehicle | Class | Class rank | IIHS award | Starts at | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2026 Ford Mustang Mach E | Midsize SUVs | 6 of 32 | TSP | ~$37,795 | 95.6 |
| 2 | 2026 Ford Explorer | Midsize SUVs | 15 of 32 | TSP | ~$38,465 | 94.3 |
| 3 | 2026 Ford Maverick | Small pickups | 5 of 7 | No award | ~$27,145 | 74.0 |
| 4 | 2026 Ford Bronco | Midsize SUVs | 31 of 32 | No award | ~$40,795 | 72.8 |
| 5 | 2026 Ford Bronco Sport | Small SUVs | 21 of 28 | No award | ~$31,845 | 71.6 |
| 6 | 2026 Ford F 150 (Crew cab) | Large pickups | 5 of 6 | No award | ~$46,730 | 66.1 |
Prices are approximate base MSRPs excluding destination. TSP+ is IIHS Top Safety Pick+; TSP is Top Safety Pick. Full weights and rules are on the methodology page.
6 Ford models still waiting on complete IIHS results
These are listed so you can see what has been tested. A missing result is never treated as a pass or a fail, so they are not ranked.
| Vehicle | Class | Primary tests reported | Detail results reported | IIHS award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Ford Escape | Small SUVs | 4/4 | 4/4 | No award |
| 2026 Ford Expedition | Large SUVs | 3/4 | 4/4 | No award |
| 2026 Ford F 150 (Extended cab) | Large pickups | 3/4 | 3/4 | No award |
| 2026 Ford F 150 Lightning | Large pickups | 2/4 | 2/4 | No award |
| 2026 Ford Mustang | Midsize cars | 0/4 | 1/4 | No award |
| 2026 Ford Ranger | Small pickups | 4/4 | 4/4 | No award |
Real-world death rates for used Ford models
Driver deaths per million registered vehicle years from the July 2026 IIHS driver death rate study (2021–2024 crashes), compared with the average for each model's class. Lower is better. These are older model years and are separate from the crash-test scores above.
| Vehicle | Model years | Driver death rate | Class average | 95% confidence bounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Escape hybrid 4WD | 2020-23 | 6 | 38 | 0–17 |
| Ford F-150 SuperCrew 2WD | 2022-23 | 7 | 29 | 0–21 |
| Ford Bronco 4WD | 2021-23 | 10 | 24 | 1–19 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E electric 4WD | 2021-23 | 11 | 24 | 0–26 |
| Ford Expedition 4WD | 2020-23 | 12 | 26 | 0–30 |
| Ford F150 hybrid SuperCrew 4WD | 2022-23 | 13 | 29 | 0–31 |
| Ford T-250 Transit cargo | 2020-23 | 16 | 30 | 4–28 |
| Ford Expedition 2WD | 2020-23 | 22 | 26 | 0–54 |
| Ford Ranger SuperCrew 4WD | 2020-23 | 23 | 31 | 10–36 |
| Ford Explorer 4WD | 2020-23 | 24 | 24 | 16–33 |
| Ford Transit Connect cargo long wheelbase | 2020-23 | 25 | 30 | 6–45 |
| Ford T-350 Transit | 2020-23 | 25 | 30 | 0–57 |
| Ford Escape hybrid 2WD | 2020-23 | 26 | 38 | 0–66 |
| Ford Edge 4WD | 2020-23 | 27 | 24 | 13–41 |
| Ford Maverick hybrid SuperCrew 2WD | 2022-23 | 27 | 31 | 0–54 |
| Ford Expedition Max 2WD | 2020-23 | 28 | 20 | 0–56 |
| Ford T-150 Transit cargo | 2020-23 | 31 | 30 | 0–61 |
| Ford F-150 SuperCrew 4WD | 2022-23 | 33 | 29 | 20–46 |
| Ford Explorer 2WD | 2020-23 | 34 | 24 | 16–53 |
| Ford Expedition Max 4WD | 2020-23 | 35 | 20 | 8–63 |
| Ford Bronco Sport 4WD | 2021-23 | 36 | 38 | 17–54 |
| Ford T-350 Transit cargo | 2020-23 | 37 | 30 | 0–77 |
| Ford Ranger SuperCrew 2WD | 2020-23 | 44 | 31 | 10–77 |
| Ford Escape 4WD | 2020-23 | 47 | 38 | 30–64 |
| Ford Escape 2WD | 2020-23 | 70 | 38 | 46–94 |
Green means at or below the class average; red means above it. Every used model is on the safest used cars page.
Older Ford model years
Earlier model years with IIHS results on this site. They are not part of the current ranking.
- 2025 Ford Bronco
- 2025 Ford ExplorerAward applies only to vehicles built after June 2025
- 2025 Ford F 150 Lightning
- 2025 Ford Mustang Mach E
Questions people ask about Ford safety
Is Ford a safe brand?
Ford has 12 current models in IIHS records, 6 with complete crash-test records. 0 earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and 2 earned a Top Safety Pick. The best current Ford is the 2026 Ford Mustang Mach E at 95.6/100, #20 of 136 in our overall ranking. Safety varies more between models than between brands, so pick the model first.
What is the safest Ford?
The safest current Ford in our 2026 ranking is the 2026 Ford Mustang Mach E (midsize suvs), scoring 95.6/100 with an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It ranks #6 of 32 in its class.
Which Ford models earned Top Safety Pick+ in 2026?
No current Ford model earned a 2026 Top Safety Pick+, but 2 earned a Top Safety Pick: Ford Mustang Mach E, Ford Explorer.
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