Ford Explorer Safety Ratings
NHTSA gives the 2024 Ford Explorer an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with 5 stars in the frontal crash test and 4 stars for rollover resistance.
Latest model year (2026):
NHTSA rates the Ford Explorer at 5 ★ overall, 5 ★ frontal crash, 5 ★ side crash and 4 ★ rollover.
Ford Explorer Safety — All Years
| Year | Variant | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024Config 1 of 2 | 2024 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | 5 ★ | 5 ★ | 5 ★ | 4 ★ | 10 | 19 |
| 2024Config 2 of 2 | 2024 Ford Explorer SUV RWD | 5 ★ | 5 ★ | 5 ★ | 4 ★ | 10 | 19 |
| 2023Config 1 of 2 | 2023 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | 5 ★ | 5 ★ | 5 ★ | 4 ★ | 15 | 102 |
| 2023Config 2 of 2 | 2023 Ford Explorer SUV RWD | 5 ★ | 5 ★ | 5 ★ | 4 ★ | 15 | 102 |
| 2022Config 1 of 2 | 2022 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | — | — | 5 ★ | 4 ★ | 24 | 255 |
| 2022Config 2 of 2 | 2022 Ford Explorer SUV RWD | — | — | 5 ★ | 4 ★ | 24 | 255 |
| 2021Config 1 of 2 | 2021 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | 5 ★ | 5 ★ | 5 ★ | 4 ★ | 26 | 407 |
| 2021Config 2 of 2 | 2021 Ford Explorer SUV RWD | 5 ★ | 5 ★ | 5 ★ | 4 ★ | 26 | 407 |
| 2018 | 2018 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD | 5 ★ | 5 ★ | 5 ★ | 4 ★ | 7 | 715 |
| 2017 | 2017 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD | 5 ★ | 5 ★ | 5 ★ | 4 ★ | 15 | 1678 |
Crash-test star ratings sourced from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Ratings apply to the tested body style and can differ between trims and drivetrain layouts.
Ford Explorer data analysis
NHTSA overall: 5 stars
The Ford Explorer carries an 5-star NHTSA overall score on its 2024 test. Five stars is the norm rather than a distinction: 132 of the 164 rated models in our data score the same. Read the sub-scores, not the headline. Broken out by test: 5 frontal, 5 side, 4 rollover. NHTSA puts the chance of a rollover in a single-vehicle crash at 15.1%, in line with unibody crossovers.
Recalls, complaints and equipment
10 recalls, 19 owner complaints and 0 open investigations on the 2024 car. 10 recalls is above average for a single model year. That cuts both ways: it means defects were found and fixed, but check the VIN for outstanding work before buying. Driver assistance on record: stability control, lane departure warning. NHTSA records these as offered, so a base trim from the same year may have none of them. Confirm on the window sticker or by VIN.
How to read this rating
10 tested configurations across 2017–2024. NHTSA tests a specific body style and drivetrain, then applies the score to the range. A different cab, wheelbase or drive layout may not have been crashed at all. Sources for these 10 rows: manufacturer filings, covering 6 model years.
How Ford Explorer NHTSA rollover risk varies
Across 10 configurations recorded for the 2017 through 2024 Ford Explorer, NHTSA rollover risk runs from 0.1% to 0.2%. The strongest figure belongs to the 2024 Ford Explorer (2024 Ford Explorer SUV RWD) at 0.1%, and the weakest to the 2017 car (2017 Ford Explorer 4 DR SUV FWD) at 0.2% — a spread of 10%. The narrow spread means any year of the Ford Explorer in this table behaves much like the others, so you can shop on price, condition and mileage rather than chasing a particular model year.
What changed for 2024
Average NHTSA rollover risk for the 2024 Ford Explorer is 0.1%, against 0.1% for the 2023 car — it held flat. A carry-over year like this usually means no powertrain or structural change, so an older example is the cheaper way into the same specification.
Configurations behind these Ford Explorer numbers
The 2017 through 2024 Ford Explorer entries here cover variants including 2024 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD, 2024 Ford Explorer SUV RWD, 2023 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD, 2023 Ford Explorer SUV RWD, 2022 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD, 2022 Ford Explorer SUV RWD, 2021 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD and 2021 Ford Explorer SUV RWD. 2024 is the busiest model year in the record with 2 separate measured configurations, which is why a single quoted NHTSA rollover risk figure for that year is rarely the one that matches the car in front of you. Match the row to the exact drivetrain, body style and engine on the window sticker or VIN before relying on the number, and use the comparison links below to see how those same configurations line up against rival models.
Frequently Asked Questions About Explorer Safety
Is the Ford Explorer a safe car?
NHTSA gives the Ford Explorer an overall crash rating of 5 out of 5 stars, including 5 stars in the frontal crash test and 5 stars in the side crash test. Ratings are per body style and model year — check the table above for yours.
What is the rollover rating of the Ford Explorer?
The Ford Explorer scores 4 out of 5 stars for rollover resistance, with a calculated rollover risk of about 15.1%. Taller vehicles typically score lower here than sedans.
Does the Ford Explorer have driver assistance features?
NHTSA records the tested Ford Explorer as having electronic stability control, without forward collision warning and with lane departure warning. Availability varies by trim and package.