2026 Ford Explorer Safety Rating
Midsize SUVs Β· Current IIHS listing Β· IIHS data updated 2026-09-04
The 2026 Ford Explorer scores 94.3/100, ranking #7 of 32 current midsize SUVs and #35 of 137 vehicles overall with complete IIHS records. It holds the IIHS Top Safety Pick award for 2026.
Every primary IIHS test is rated Good. Rear-passenger restraints in the updated moderate-overlap test: Acceptable; rear-passenger head protection: Good.
IIHS crash-test results
Detailed results by test (56 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
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: updated test
Headlights
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Seat belt reminders
Child seat anchors
Opens on iihs.org in a new tab
How the score is built
Full formula, weights, and missing-data 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
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 | 94.3 | |
| 2026 Mazda CX 90 | #7 of 32 | TSP+ | $39,300 | 94.3 | |
| 2026 Mazda CX 90 PHEV | #7 of 32 | TSP+ | $50,695 | 94.3 | |
| 2026 Ford Explorer (this page) | #7 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 | Not ranked |
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 for 2026. 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
No recalls on record. NHTSA lists this model year and currently shows no recall campaigns against it.
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Questions about the 2026 Ford Explorer
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Shopping for a family? Compare three-row vehicles and rear-seat evidence. Buying used? See real driver death rates by model.