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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Victoria 2003-2010 |
Seats with adjustable lumbar |
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| Edge 2007-2010 (mfg. after Jan 2007) |
Manual-power leather seats |
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| Escape 2009-2010 |
Manual - power cloth seats |
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| Escape 2005-2008 |
All seats |
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| Explorer 2009-2010 |
Manual - power cloth seats |
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| Explorer 2006-2008 |
All seats |
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| Explorer 2004-2005 |
All seats |
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not tested (see note) |
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| Explorer Sport Trac 2009-2010 |
Manual - power cloth seats |
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| Explorer Sport Trac 2007-2008 |
All seats |
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| F-150 2009-2010 |
Manual - power cloth seats |
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| F-150 2004-2008 |
Seats with integrated seatbelt |
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| F-150 2004-2008 |
Seats without integrated seatbelt |
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| Five Hundred 2005-2007 |
Manual cloth seats |
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| Flex 2009-2010 |
Power leather seats |
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| Focus 2-dr 2008-2010 |
Manual cloth seats |
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| Focus 4-dr 2008-2010 |
Manual cloth seats |
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| Focus 4-dr 2006-2007 |
Manual cloth seats |
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| Focus 4-dr 2001-2005 |
All seats |
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| Freestar 2004-2007 |
Seats with adjustable head restraints |
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| Freestar 2004-2007 |
Seats with fixed head restraints |
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| Freestyle 2005-2007 |
All seats |
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| Fusion 2009-2010 |
Manual - power cloth seats |
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| Fusion 2006-2008 |
Manual-power cloth seats |
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| Mustang 2010 |
Manual - power seats |
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| Mustang convertible 2010 |
All seats |
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| Mustang convertible 2005-2009 |
Manual-power leather seats |
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| Ranger 2010 |
Manual cloth seats |
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| Ranger 2006-2009 |
All seats |
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not tested (see note) |
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| Ranger 2004-2005 |
All seats |
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| Taurus 2010 |
Power leather seats |
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| Taurus 2008-2009 |
Manual cloth seats |
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| Taurus 2004-2006 |
All seats |
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| Taurus X 2008-2009 |
All seats |
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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.
AR: 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 | |
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| Aerostar |  |
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| Contour |  |
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| Crown Victoria | see table above | see table above | |
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| Econoline | |
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| Escape |   |
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| Explorer | 2-dr | |
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| 4-dr | see table above | |
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| Explorer Sport Trac | |
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| F-150 | see table above | |
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| F-150 Heritage | |
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| F-250 | |
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| 4-dr | see table above | see table above | see table above | see table above | |
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| Mustang | |
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| Probe | |
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| Ranger | see table above | |
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| Taurus | see table above | |
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| Thunderbird | |
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| Windstar | |
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