Ford Explorer
2002-05 models built after October 2001results also apply to: 2003-05 Lincoln Aviator | 2002-05 Mercury Mountaineer built after October 2001
MODERATE OVERLAP FRONT TEST
OVERALL EVALUATION:
| Structure/safety cage | Injury measures | Restraints/dummy kinematics | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head/neck | Chest | Leg/foot, left | Leg/foot, right | ||
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Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.
Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor
Test details:
The Ford Explorer 4-door (except the Sport Trac model) and the Mercury Mountaineer were redesigned for the 2002 model year. Explorers and Mountaineers manufactured after October 2001 include structural changes to improve occupant protection in frontal offset crashes (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door).
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of a 2002 Explorer with the structural changes in a 40 mph frontal offset crash test into a deformable barrier.
The Explorer and Mountaineer have been re-engineered for the 2006 model year, and the Aviator has been dropped.
Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit the roof rail, window frame, and B-pillar.
Injury measures — Measures taken from the head, neck, and chest indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. Forces on the right tibia indicate that injuries to the lower leg would be possible. Head accelerations from the roof rail, window frame, and B-pillar hits were negligible.
Left to right:
- Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test.
- The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.
- Smeared greasepaint shows where the dummy's head hit the roof rail, window frame, and B-pillar during rebound. Head accelerations from these hits were negligible.
- Forces on the right lower leg were just high enough to indicate the possibility of injury.
Additional features:
- Side airbags: front and second row head curtain airbags (optional, Explorer and Mountaineer models; standard, Aviator models)
- Rollover sensor: designed to deploy the side curtain airbags, if equipped, in the event of an impending rollover (optional beginning with 2002 Explorer and Mountaineer models manufacturered after March 2002, standard on Aviator)
- Electronic stability control; includes roll stability control to minimize the possibility of rollover (optional on 2004 Aviator, standard on 2005 Explorer, Mountaineer, and Aviator)
- Electronic stability control (optional, 2002-04 models)
- Antilock brakes
Tested vehicle specifications:
- 2002 Ford Explorer XLT 4wd
- Class: Midsize SUV
- Weight: 4,511 lbs.
- Side airbags: front and second row head curtain airbags
- Wheelbase: 114 in.
- Length: 190 in.
- Width: 72 in.
- Engine: 4.0 L V6
- EPA ratings: 15 mpg city | 20 mpg highway
