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Ford Explorer

2006-07 models

results also apply to: 2006 Mercury Mountaineer

SIDE IMPACT TEST WITH STANDARD AND ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL SIDE AIRBAGS

OVERALL EVALUATION: Acceptable

	Injury measures			Head protection	Structure/safety cage
	Head/neck	Torso	Pelvis/leg	Head protection	Structure/safety cage
Driver
Rear passenger

Important: Side impact crash test ratings can be compared across vehicle type and weight categories.

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Test details:

The Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer were re-engineered for the 2006 model year. All 2006-08 models have standard side torso airbags; beginning with 2007 Mountaineer and 2008 Explorer models, head curtain airbags were also made standard.

Injury measures:

Driver — Measures taken from the dummy indicate that a fracture of the pelvis would be possible in a crash of this severity. The risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low.

Rear passenger — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Head protection:

Driver — The dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof and a side airbag that deployed from the seat.

Rear passenger — The dummy's head was protected from being hit by any hard structures, including the intruding barrier, by a side curtain airbag that deployed from the roof.

Watch crash test footage for this vehicle on YouTube Tested model year and trim level only; see "Tested vehicle specifications" below

Left to right:

View of the vehicle and barrier just after the crash test.
View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.
Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.
Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Additional features:

Side airbags: front seat-mounted torso airbags (standard) and front and second row head curtain airbags (standard beginning with 2007 Mountaineer and 2008 Explorer models, optional in earlier models)
Rollover sensor: designed to deploy the side curtain airbags, if equipped, in the event of an impending rollover
Electronic stability control; includes roll stability control to minimize the possibility of rollover
Antilock brakes
Daytime running lights (optional on vehicles sold to fleets)

Tested vehicle specifications:

2007 Ford Explorer XLT 4wd
Class: Midsize SUV
Weight: 4,775 lbs.
Side airbags: standard front seat-mounted torso airbags and optional front and rear head curtain airbags
Wheelbase: 114 in.
Length: 193 in.
Width: 74 in.
Engine: 4.0 L V6
EPA ratings: 15 mpg city | 20 mpg highway

See all test results for Ford Explorer | Mercury Mountaineer

Last updated: April 23, 2008