2026 Ford Explorer Safety Rating
Midsize SUVs Β· Current IIHS listing Β· IIHS source checked 2026-09-16
The 2026 Ford Explorer scores 94.3/100, ranking #15 of 32 current midsize SUVs and #33 of 136 vehicles overall with complete IIHS records. It holds the IIHS Top Safety Pick award in the 2026 award cycle.
Every primary IIHS test is rated Good. Rear-passenger restraints in the updated moderate-overlap test: Acceptable; rear-passenger head protection: Good.
Which build and equipment does this score describe?
Latest applicable build; standard AEB and lowest current-trim headlight rating. Headlights use the lowest rating among applicable current trims; this is a conservative equipment baseline, not a claim that every trim has identical results. Confirm the production date and equipment of the car you are buying.
- Rating applies to 2020-26 models built after May 2020
Headlights: baseline Good
- Good β (1) Trim level(s): Active trim, ST-Line trim, ST trim
- Good β (2) Trim level(s): Platinum trim
Pedestrian crash prevention: baseline Good
- Good β standard Pre-Collision Assist. Rating applies to all 2025-26 models
Optional-system results are shown separately. Combining the best rating from different packages does not establish that one purchasable configuration earns them all. Check IIHS equipment details.
IIHS crash-test results
Detailed results by test (52 entries)
IIHS publishes these under the test they belong to, so the same label can appear more than once. Rear restraints and kinematics, rear head protection, structure and safety cage, and front restraints are the four that count toward the score (25%).
Small overlap front
Rating applies to 2020-26 models built after May 2020
Small overlap front
Rating applies to 2020-26 models built after May 2020
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Rating applies to 2022-26 models
Side: updated test
Rating applies to 2020-26 models
Headlights
Β· (1) Trim level(s): Active trim, ST-Line trim, ST trim
Headlights
Β· (2) Trim level(s): Platinum trim
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Rating applies to all 2025-26 models Β· standard Pre-Collision Assist
Seat belt reminders
Rating applies to 2025-26 models
Child seat anchors
Rating applies to 2020-26 models
Opens on iihs.org in a new tab
How the score is built
See our full scoring methodology and rules β
NHTSA 5-star rating
2026 FORD EXPLORER GAS SUV N/A 4WD
NHTSA stars are shown for reference and carry no weight in the score. NHTSA source. Why the two programs disagree β
IIHS crash-test videos
These videos are embedded on IIHSβs ratings page for this model. The tested vehicle may be an earlier model year or a related version whose results IIHS applies to this vehicle. Check the test description and source for the exact coverage.
Load a player to watch on this page, or use the YouTube link. Video footage helps explain the test; the published injury measurements and ratings are the basis for comparison.
Small overlap front: Driver-side
Tested vehicle: 2020 Ford Explorer XLT 4-door 4wd
Rating applies to 2020-26 models built after May 2020
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Tested vehicle: 2022 Ford Explorer XLT 4-door 4wd
Rating applies to 2022-26 models
Side: updated test
Tested vehicle: 2022 Ford Explorer XLT 4-door 4wd
Rating applies to 2020-26 models
Real-world context
| Measure | Result | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Class driver death rate | 27 per million registered vehicle-years | Midsize SUVs as a class, adjusted for driver age and sex (Farmer, 2023); all vehicles average 38. Class context only. |
| Ford Explorer 4WD (2020) driver death rate | 22 (95% CI 0β47) | Earlier model years of this nameplate; class average for that study 24.9. Reflects who bought and drove those cars as well as the car. |
| Theft claim frequency (Ford Explorer 4dr) | 10 (100 = average) | HLDI whole-vehicle theft, 2022β24 model years: 10% of average. See the theft ranking. |
Compared with other midsize SUVs
Closest-scoring current midsize SUVs with complete IIHS records, plus the class leader. See every midsize SUVs ranked β
| Vehicle | Class rank | IIHS award | Rear restraints | Starts at | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Kia Telluride | #1 of 32 | TSP+ | $39,190 | 96.8 | |
| 2026 Mazda CX 70 | #7 of 32 | TSP+ | $42,250 | 95.4 | |
| 2026 Subaru Outback | #13 of 32 | TSP+ | $34,995 | 94.3 | |
| 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | #14 of 32 | TSP | $38,300 | 94.3 | |
| 2026 Ford Explorer (this page) | #15 of 32 | TSP | $38,465 | 94.3 |
Other model years of the Ford Explorer
| Model year | Status | IIHS award | Primary tests reported | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Ford Explorer | Archived | TSP+ | 4/4 | 90.2 |
Each model year keeps its own record. Ratings from one year are never copied to another unless IIHS states the test applies.
Our analysis
The 2026 Ford Explorer belongs to the Midsize SUVs class. This class has a below-average driver death rate compared with the national average of 38 deaths per million registered vehicle-years. The class figure is adjusted for driver age and sex, which removes a large part of the selection effect in raw death rates. It is still a class average, not a measurement of this model.
The Ford Explorer earned Top Safety Pick in the 2026 award cycle. The difference from Top Safety Pick+ is usually the updated moderate-overlap result or a headlight or pedestrian-braking threshold; the linked IIHS report shows which.
Across the 6 IIHS rating categories reported, the Ford Explorer earned 5 Good ratings. One result sits below Good; the verdict at the top of the page names it.
This analysis is produced independently; we have no affiliation with Ford or any manufacturer. Read the full methodology or learn more about us.
Safety recalls for the 2026 Ford Explorer
We do not have a verified NHTSA recall lookup for this model and year. An unmatched or unavailable lookup is not evidence of a clean recall record.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-16. A recall applies to a range of build dates, not necessarily every car of this model year, so confirm against your own VIN. Recalls do not affect the safety score on this page.
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Questions about the 2026 Ford Explorer
Is the 2026 Ford Explorer a safe car?
The 2026 Ford Explorer scores 94.3/100 in our published formula and ranks #15 of 32 current midsize SUVs with complete IIHS records. It holds the IIHS Top Safety Pick award.
What is the 2026 Ford Explorer IIHS rating?
IIHS reports: small overlap front = Good; moderate overlap front: updated test = Good; side: updated test = Good; headlights = Good; seat belt reminders = Good; latch ease of use = Acceptable.
Is the 2026 Ford Explorer an IIHS Top Safety Pick?
Yes. The 2026 Ford Explorer is a IIHS Top Safety Pick for the 2026 award cycle.
What is the 2026 Ford Explorer NHTSA rating?
NHTSA gives the 2026 FORD EXPLORER GAS SUV N/A 4WD an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 5, side 5, rollover 4). NHTSA stars are shown for reference and are not part of our score.
How does the 2026 Ford Explorer compare with other midsize SUVs?
The class leader is the 2027 Kia Telluride at 96.8/100. The comparison table on this page lists the closest-scoring current midsize SUVs with complete records.
Continue comparing
Shopping for a family? Compare three-row vehicles and rear-seat evidence. Buying used? See real driver death rates by model.