Used car safety, rank #102 of 188
Ford Explorer 2WD Safety Rating (2020-23)
Real IIHS driver death rates for the 2020-23 Ford Explorer 2WD, a midsize SUV, compared with its class and with the current model.
IIHS 2026 edition · 2021–2024 crashes. Results apply only to the model years and drivetrain shown. Read the new release and its limits · Browse the older edition. Prices and reliability from older model years have not been carried forward.
The 2020-23 Ford Explorer 2WD has an IIHS driver death rate of 34 per million registered vehicle years against a midsize SUVs average of 24, which is 42% above the class average. That places it #102 of 188 used vehicles with a safety score of 48.7/100.
What the Ford Explorer death rate means
At 34 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, the Ford Explorer 2WD is 42% worse than the midsize SUVs average of 24. The 95% confidence interval is 16 to 53, which overlaps the class average, so some of the gap may be chance.
The other-driver death rate of 64 measures the opposite risk: how many drivers of other vehicles died in crashes with a Ford Explorer. Its 95% confidence interval is 41–88. It is higher than the Ford Explorer's own driver death rate, the usual pattern for this class. Remember that death rates describe vehicles and their drivers together: IIHS adjusts for driver age and gender, but not for where or how carefully people drive. Our score weights this model's own rate at 70% and its class at 30%; see how we rank used cars.
Compared with similar used SUVs
The safest midsize SUVs in the IIHS study, by our score, with the Ford Explorer 2WD highlighted. It ranks 9 of the 9 shown; the class leader is the Volkswagen Atlas 2WD at a death rate of 5.
| Vehicle | Years | Death rate | Score | Reliability | Used price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Atlas 2WD | 2020-23 | 5 (0 to 16) | 89.5 | n/a | n/a |
| Toyota Highlander 4WD | 2020-23 | 7 (1 to 13) | 87.2 | n/a | n/a |
| Volkswagen Atlas 4WD | 2020-23 | 7 (0 to 16) | 87.2 | n/a | n/a |
| Kia Telluride 2WD | 2020-23 | 8 (0 to 22) | 84.6 | n/a | n/a |
| Ford Bronco 4WD | 2021-23 | 10 (1 to 19) | 83.5 | n/a | n/a |
| Chevrolet Traverse 4WD | 2022-23 | 10 (0 to 23) | 83.5 | n/a | n/a |
| Toyota Highlander hybrid 4WD | 2020-23 | 11 (1 to 20) | 82.0 | n/a | n/a |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee L 4WD | 2022-23 | 11 (0 to 25) | 82.0 | n/a | n/a |
| Ford Explorer 2WD (this page) | 2020-23 | 34 (16 to 53) | 48.7 | n/a | n/a |
Class average for midsize SUVs: 24 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years.
The new Ford Explorer
Death rates lag the market by several years. For the current Ford Explorer we score IIHS crash tests instead; here is how the latest model years rate on our new-car scale.
| Model year | Model | IIHS award | New-car score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Ford Explorer | TSP | 94.3 |
New-car scores use a different scale (crash tests, not death rates) and are not directly comparable with the 48.7 used-car score above.
Safety recalls for the Ford Explorer 2WD
A recall is a defect the manufacturer must repair free of charge, however old the car and whoever owns it now. On a used car this matters more than on a new one: the work is only done if a previous owner took it in.
15 recall campaigns on the 2023 model year, covering seats, seat belts, back over prevention, equipment, fuel system, gasoline, suspension, engine and engine cooling, power train.
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Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator
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Seat belts
Risk: A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge.
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Back over prevention: software
Risk: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge.
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Equipment: electrical, engine block heater
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026.
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Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge.
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Back over prevention: software
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge.
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Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge.
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Back over prevention: software
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software, free of charge.
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Equipment: other, labels
Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge.
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Suspension: front, macpherson strut
Risk: A loose or missing connection between the knuckle and strut can cause improper tire alignment, resulting in a steering pull or require increased steering effort. Additionally, the brake hose may contact the tire and become damaged, resulting in a brake fluid leak and a loss of braking ability. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fasteners, and tighten or install them as necessary, free of charge.
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Back over prevention: display function
Risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera wire harness and repair any loose splices, free of charge.
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Engine and engine cooling: engine, gasoline, turbo/supercharger
Risk: An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire. In addition, the loss of oil can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as soon as possible if they see an oil pressure warning light or smoke coming from the engine compartment. Dealers will replace the turbo oil supply line assembly, free of charge.
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Back over prevention: sensing system, camera
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera, free of charge.
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Power train: automatic transmission
Risk: The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge.
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Back over prevention: sensing system, camera
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the image processing module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Interim
Partial lookup: At least one NHTSA model-variant request failed. The campaigns shown were returned successfully; additional campaigns may be missing. Check your VIN.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-16. A campaign covers a range of build dates, not every car of the model year, and IIHS reports this nameplate across several years while these results are for 2023. Confirm against the VIN. Recalls do not affect the death rate on this page.
Ford Explorer 2WD: Common Questions
Is the Ford Explorer 2WD a safe car?
Not on this measure: its drivers died at a higher rate than its class average. IIHS recorded a driver death rate of 34 per million registered vehicle years for the 2020-23 Ford Explorer 2WD, 42% above the class average (24 for midsize SUVs). That earns a used-car safety score of 48.7 out of 100 and rank #102 of 188 used vehicles.
What is the Ford Explorer 2WD driver death rate?
34 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, with a 95% confidence interval of 16 to 53. Drivers of other vehicles that collided with a Ford Explorer died at a rate of 64 per million. Source: IIHS driver death rates by make and model, covering 2020-23 models.
How does the Ford Explorer 2WD compare with other midsize SUVs?
The midsize SUVs class averages 24 driver deaths per million; the Ford Explorer 2WD sits at 34. Among the 9 midsize SUVs compared above it ranks 9 by safety score; the top of that group is the Volkswagen Atlas 2WD with a death rate of 5.