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Watch 2020 Ford Explorer Crash Out of IIHS Grace

Ever since the launch of the new Explorer, Ford has been having difficulties with the model. In its short lifespan – the new generation was only introduced at the beginning of the year – the car has already been the subject of at least one recall, and, it seems, it’s not much better safety-wise either.
2020 Ford Explorer driver-side small overlap IIHS crash test 10 photos
Photo: IIHS/Youtube
2020 Ford Explorer driver-side small overlap IIHS crash test2020 Ford Explorer driver-side small overlap IIHS crash test2020 Ford Explorer driver-side small overlap IIHS crash test2020 Ford Explorer driver-side small overlap IIHS crash test2020 Ford Explorer driver-side small overlap IIHS crash test2020 Ford Explorer driver-side small overlap IIHS crash test2020 Ford Explorer driver-side small overlap IIHS crash test2020 Ford Explorer driver-side small overlap IIHS crash test
Historically, the Explorer nameplate has not been at the top of the charts when it comes to crash tests. Earlier models wearing the name have been prone to severe intrusion into the cabin during a crash, putting the people inside at risk.

Ford was hoping the redesigned SUV would fare much better than its predecessors, but as soon as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) got around to test it, it became obvious that, despite some improvements having been made, the problem is still there.

The American safety organization published on Monday, December 9, the results of the Explorer crash test (video below), results that show the car will not be handed a Top Safety Pick. The reason for this is, you guessed, intrusion into the cabin.

During the driver-side small overlap test, the organization found “enough intrusion into the outboard part of the footwell to elevate the risk of injury to the driver's left leg, as indicated by measures taken from the dummy.”

This resulted in the car getting an overall rating of acceptable in this category, meaning the desired award is out of the question.

The IIHS also tested the car in overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint procedures, and in this case the rating was good. So far, the car did not go through the tribulations of the passenger-side small overlap crash test, but given that previous versions were found to be faulty in this respect as well, and the recent results, things don’t seem to be looking good for Ford.

According to the IIHS, the findings also apply to the Explorer’s luxury sibling, the Lincoln Aviator.

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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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