NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2019 Ford Explorer Safety Ratings
The 2019 Ford Explorer scores 84 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 6 recalls, and 281 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2019 Ford Explorer achieves a NHTSA Safety Index of 85 out of 100, placing it within the Strong band. Its crash-test record is largely excellent, though five recall campaigns and a modest score in avoidance technology temper its overall safety profile. For a used vehicle, its safety performance is solid, if not entirely unblemished.
The 2019 Ford Explorer holds a 5-out-of-5 overall NHTSA crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 85 out of 100, sourced from NHTSA crash-test and recall data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 93 SUVs from 2019 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2019 Ford Explorer ranks 30 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 84 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 16.4% |
| Recalls on file | 6 |
| Owner complaints | 281 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 30 of 93 SUVs tested for 2019 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2019 Ford Explorer?
A perfect overall NHTSA star rating and clean dynamic tip outcome anchor the 2019 Ford Explorer's strong crash protection, which scores 66 out of 70 points. This performance largely drives the vehicle's overall Safety Index of 85 out of 100. However, the data reveals specific areas of concern. The Explorer's avoidance technology sub-score is 6 out of 10 due to both forward collision warning and lane departure warning systems being optional, not standard. The defect record sub-score of 12.5 out of 20 reflects the impact of five recall campaigns. Two of these were issued in 2026, making them recent. The recall addressing potential rear suspension toe-link fracture is particularly significant given its structural safety implications. This is further underscored by 142 owner complaints in the Structure category, which, while unverified, align with the recall's theme. No prior-year Safety Index is available for comparison. The 2019 Explorer demonstrates clear excellence in crash-test performance, with its primary safety caution lying in its recall exposure rather than its test-track results.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2019 Ford Explorer perform in crash tests?
The 2019 Ford Explorer achieved a 5 out of 5 star overall safety rating from NHTSA, demonstrating strong performance in its crash tests. Frontal and side impact evaluations both yielded perfect 5-star scores. The vehicle's rollover rating, however, was 4 out of 5 stars, with a 16 percent rollover risk identified. Dynamic tip testing did return a No Tip result for the Explorer.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 13262
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2019 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Five recall campaigns cover this model year. Two recent campaigns address structural concerns: rear suspension toe links that may fracture, and A-pillar trim retention clips that may not be properly engaged. Additional campaigns involve a potentially cracking engine block heater, loosening roof rail cover retention pins, and a front seat recliner issue. No park-outside or do-not-drive advisory is noted in the data, but owners should verify remedy completion for all five campaigns by VIN.
STRUCTURE:BODY26V448000
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof rail covers and as necessary, repair or replace the push-pins, rail clips, or roof rail covers, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 28, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this r
Reported 2026-07-14
SUSPENSION:REAR26V101000
Risk: A rear toe link fracture can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the toe links, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S08. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 21V537. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 25, 2026.
Reported 2026-02-20
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER26V012000
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 13, 2026. Additional letters
Reported 2026-01-15
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS24V031000
Risk: A detached trim piece can fall off the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the A-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Owner notification letters were mailed between July 18, 2024 and December 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S02.
Reported 2024-01-19
STRUCTURE:BODY21V316000
Risk: A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install push-pins and replace any damaged rail clips and roof rail covers, as necessary, free of charge. The interim owner notification letter was mailed on June 22, 2021. Owner notification letters (remedy available) were mailed on October 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S22.
Reported 2021-05-05
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER19V633000
Risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
Reported 2019-08-28
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2019 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has received 281 unverified owner complaints for the 2019 Ford Explorer. The most frequently alleged problem area is Structure, accounting for 142 of those reports, followed by unspecified issues at 44, Power Train at 34, Electrical System at 19, and Engine at 18. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established defects.
281 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2019 Ford Explorer?
Five recall campaigns are on record for the 2019 Ford Explorer, including two opened in 2026. Any shopper considering a used unit must run the VIN through NHTSA's recall database, and confirm with documentation that each campaign has been remedied, as completion is far from guaranteed.
- Two of the five recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Ford Explorer were issued in 2026, covering rear suspension toe links that may fracture and an engine block heater that may crack, making these among the least likely to have been remedied on any used example.
- Forward collision warning and lane departure warning are both optional on this model year, not standard equipment, so the avoidance-tech sub-score of 6 out of 10 reflects that many 2019 Explorers in circulation lack these features entirely.
- Structure is the single largest complaint category for this model year, accounting for 142 of 281 unverified NHTSA complaints, a concentration that corresponds thematically to the A-pillar trim and roof rail cover recall campaigns also on record.
- The rollover rating of 4 out of 5 stars with a 16 percent rollover risk is the only NHTSA crash-test score below 5 stars for this model year; the dynamic tip test did return a No Tip result, which is the more favorable of the two possible outcomes within that category.
RANKINGSWhere the 2019 Ford Explorer places
The 2019 Ford Explorer qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2019 Ford Explorer safety questions
Was the 2019 Ford Explorer crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2019 Ford Explorer, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 84 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2019 Ford Explorer crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2019 Ford Explorer earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 16.4%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2019 Ford Explorer have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 6 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2019 Ford Explorer. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Ford Explorer?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 281 owner complaints are on file for the 2019 Ford Explorer. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Explorer years
Rivals in SUV (2019)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Tesla Model X 60d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X 75d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X 90d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X P100d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Tesla Model X P90d | 94/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2019 Nissan Murano | 93/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 13262), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Explorer 2019.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 30 of 93 in the SUV class for 2019.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.