Rear crash protection: Ford

For each seat/head restraint, rear-end crash protection is an assessment of occupant protection against neck injury in rear impacts at low to moderate speeds. Although such injuries usually aren't serious, they occur frequently.

The overall ratings are based on a two-step evaluation. In the first step the geometry (distance behind and below the head of a seated average-size man) is rated good, acceptable, marginal, or poor. Seats with good or acceptable geometry then are subjected to a dynamic test simulating the forces in a stationary vehicle that's rear-ended by another vehicle of the same weight going 20 mph. Seat/head restraints with marginal or poor geometry aren't tested dynamically because they cannot protect taller people in rear-end crashes. These seats are rated poor overall.

In the dynamic tests measurements are recorded on a dummy (BioRID) representing an average-size man. BioRID is designed specifically for rear-end testing at low to moderate speeds. The dynamic ratings are derived from two seat design parameters (acceleration of the dummy's torso and time from impact initiation to head restraint contact with the dummy's head) plus tension and shear forces recorded on the dummy's neck. Overall ratings are based on both geometric measurements and dynamic results.

More about the procedures for rating seat/head restraints

Good Acceptable Marginal Poor

Model	Seat type	Overall rating	Dynamic rating	Seat/head restraint geometry
C-MAX 2013	Manual cloth seats
Crown Victoria 2003-2011	Seats with adjustable lumbar
Edge 2012-2013 (mfg. after Oct 2011)	Power leather seat with 4-way head restraint
Edge 2007-2012 (mfg. Feb 2007 to Oct 2011)	Manual-power seats
Escape 2013	Manual cloth seats
Escape 2009-2012	Manual - power cloth seats
Escape 2005-2008	All seats
Explorer 2011-2013	Power leather seat
Explorer 2009-2010	Manual - power cloth seats
Explorer 2006-2008	All seats
Explorer 2004-2005	All seats		not tested (see note)
Explorer Sport Trac 2009-2010	Manual - power cloth seats
Explorer Sport Trac 2007-2008	All seats
F-150 2012-2013	Manual cloth seats
F-150 2009-2011	Manual - power cloth seats
F-150 2004-2008	Seats with integrated seatbelt
F-150 2004-2008	Seats without integrated seatbelt
Fiesta 2013-2014	Manual cloth seats
Fiesta 2011-2012	Manual cloth seat
Five Hundred 2005-2007	Manual cloth seats
Flex 2013	Power leather seats
Flex 2009-2012	Power leather seats
Focus 2013	Manual cloth seats
Focus 2012	Manual cloth seat
Focus 2-door 2008-2010	Manual cloth seats
Focus 4-door 2008-2011	Manual cloth seats
Focus 4-door 2006-2007	Manual cloth seats
Focus 4-door 2001-2005	All seats
Freestar 2004-2007	Seats with adjustable head restraints
Freestar 2004-2007	Seats with fixed head restraints
Freestyle 2005-2007	All seats
Fusion 2013	Power cloth seat
Fusion 2009-2012	Manual - power cloth seats
Fusion 2006-2008	Manual-power cloth seats
Mustang 2012-2013 (mfg. after July 2011)	Power leather seat with 4-way head restraint
Mustang 2010-2012 (mfg. before Aug 2011)	Manual - power seats with 2-way head restraint
Mustang convertible 2012-2013 (mfg. after July 2011)	Power leather seat with 4-way head restraint
Mustang convertible 2010-2012 (mfg. before Aug 2011)	Manual - power seats with 2-way head restraint
Mustang convertible 2005-2009	Manual-power leather seats
Ranger 2010-2011	Manual seats
Ranger 2006-2009	All seats		not tested (see note)
Ranger 2004-2005	All seats
Taurus 2013	Power leather seats with 4-way head restraints
Taurus 2010-2012	Power leather seats
Taurus 2008-2009	Manual cloth seats
Taurus 2004-2006	All seats
Taurus X 2008-2009	All seats

Note: Seat/head restraints with marginal or poor geometry aren't tested dynamically because they cannot protect taller people in rear-end crashes. These seats are rated poor overall. Seat/head restraints with good or acceptable geometry are also tested dynamically.

Rear crash protection test details (technical information)

Geometric ratings of other Ford models

Ratings of seat/head restraints in newer model cars are based on restraint geometry and a dynamic test. The Institute has been publishing model-by-model ratings of the the geometry of the head restraints in older models since the mid-1990s. Geometry is the necessary first step toward a seat/head restraint that provides effective protection in rear-end crashes at low to moderate speeds.

More than one rating: Ratings are for individual vehicle models. More than one rating may be shown for a model because vehicle seat options can affect head restraint geometry.

No rating shown/no model year listed: The Institute has not evaluated the head restraints in every vehicle model during every model year. If a rating box is blank or if a model year is not listed, no rating is available. If a box is shaded gray, the model was not manufactured that year.

AHR: active head restraint. These are designed to move closer to the backs of occupants' heads in rear-end crashes. These are not rated for geometry at this time.

Model		2004	2003	2002	2001	2000	1999	1998	1997	1996	1995
Aerostar
Aspire	2-dr
	4-dr
Contour
Crown Victoria		see table above	see table above
Econoline
Escape
Escort	2-dr
	4-dr
Escort ZX2
Excursion
Expedition
Explorer	2-dr
	4-dr	see table above
Explorer Sport Trac
F-150		see table above
F-150 Heritage
F-250
F-350
Focus	2-dr
	4-dr	see table above	see table above	see table above	see table above
Mustang
Probe
Ranger		see table above
Taurus		see table above
Thunderbird
Windstar

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