MODEL
Ford Explorer Gas
NHTSA safety across every Ford Explorer Gas model year we cover.
Across the 1 model year of the Ford Explorer Gas we cover (2026 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2026 at 88 on the NHTSA Safety Index. No recalls are on record across those years.
The 2026 Ford Explorer is a three-row midsize SUV aimed squarely at families who need versatile space without sacrificing a confident road presence. As one of the best-selling nameplates in its segment, the Explorer targets active households, road-trip regulars, and buyers who want a recognizable, full-featured American SUV with genuine practicality baked in from the ground up.
At MotorCaliber, we judge a vehicle on what the federal safety data actually says, and the 2026 Ford Explorer Gas makes a strong case for itself right out of the gate. Its NHTSA Safety Index lands at 88 out of 100, placing it firmly in our Strong band, which is a meaningful result for a three-row SUV where size and rollover geometry can work against a vehicle in federal testing. The crash-test star breakdown reinforces that headline number. The Explorer earns a perfect five stars in both the frontal and side disciplines, the two categories that statistically matter most in real-world collisions. Rollover comes in at four out of five stars, which is a common outcome for taller SUVs and not a red flag, but it is something buyers should note if their driving environment involves aggressive lane changes or emergency maneuvers at highway speeds. Perhaps the most striking data point for the 2026 model year is the recall count: zero. No recalls have been issued across our covered year. Owner complaints sit at just 15 total, with zero crashes, zero fires, zero injuries, and zero deaths reported among them. These complaints are unverified allegations, and the volume is low for a model of this sales scale. Bottom line: the 2026 Explorer enters its model year with a clean federal safety slate and genuinely competitive crash scores. Families shopping this segment have real reason to feel confident here.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally find the 2026 Explorer to be a well-rounded midsize SUV with a comfortable, composed ride and a cabin that balances everyday practicality with a reasonably refined interior. Most praise its intuitive technology layout and strong road manners for the class, while some note that third-row access and cargo flexibility are areas where competing three-row alternatives push the conversation.
- The 2026 Explorer earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 88 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band, which is one of the better results you will find among three-row midsize SUVs in federal testing.
- Perfect five-star scores in both frontal and side crash tests mean the Explorer performs at the top of the federal scale in the two collision types most likely to cause serious injury in real-world accidents.
- A four-star rollover rating is typical for vehicles in this class given their ride height, but shoppers should be aware that it represents a step down from the frontal and side scores, and active safety systems become an important complement to that number.
- Zero recalls have been issued for the 2026 model year as of our coverage period, and the 15 owner complaints on file include no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths, making this one of the cleaner complaint profiles in its segment right now.