NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2022 Ford Explorer Safety Ratings
The 2022 Ford Explorer scores 74 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), 24 recalls, and 239 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2022 Ford Explorer HEV SUV 4WD enters the Average band with a NHTSA Safety Index of 74/100. This assessment is heavily influenced by a defect-record sub-score of zero out of 20, stemming from 23 recall campaigns for the model year. The vehicle’s strong crash-protection sub-score and perfect avoidance-tech score are notable, but they are insufficient to elevate its overall standing given the extensive recall record.
The 2022 Ford Explorer HEV SUV 4WD receives a NHTSA Safety Index of 74 out of 100 and a 5-out-of-5 NHTSA side crash-test star rating, according to NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 135 SUVs from 2022 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2022 Ford Explorer ranks 120 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 74 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 15.1% |
| Recalls on file | 24 |
| Owner complaints | 239 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 120 of 135 SUVs tested for 2022 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2022 Ford Explorer?
The 2022 Ford Explorer HEV SUV 4WD carries a significant defect record. This model year accumulated 23 recall campaigns, contributing to a defect sub-score of zero out of 20 possible points. These recalls address a broad spectrum of safety-critical components, from seat belt anchoring hardware to fuel delivery systems and back-over prevention software. Overall, the 2022 Explorer HEV SUV 4WD earns a Safety Index of 74 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. This represents a two-point decrease from the 2021 model's 76. Its crash protection scores 63.8 out of a possible 70 points. Avoidance technology achieves a perfect 10 out of 10, reflecting standard forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control. Owner complaints total 239, with powertrain and electrical issues cited most frequently. For this model year, non-crash safety factors present the most notable concerns.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2022 Ford Explorer perform in crash tests?
The 2022 Ford Explorer's strongest showing in federal safety tests was its 5-out-of-5 star rating for side impact. Rollover resistance was assessed at 4-out-of-5 stars, indicating a 15-percent rollover risk during the dynamic test, which did not result in a tip. Notably, NHTSA did not publish overall or frontal crash ratings for this model configuration. This absence of data reflects a lack of testing in these categories and should not be interpreted as a performance indicator.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 16383
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2022 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes, 23 recall campaigns cover this model year. Named component categories include seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row, windshield wiper motor, back-over prevention imaging software, engine block heater electrical equipment, and a gasoline fuel pump. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is specified in the available campaign data, but buyers should verify remedy status by VIN through NHTSA.
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY26V451000
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notif
Reported 2026-07-14
SEAT BELTS26V159000
Risk: A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
Reported 2026-03-17
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR26V117000
Risk: Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S14. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs
Reported 2026-03-03
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE26V123000
Risk: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.
Reported 2026-03-03
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER25V685000
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 December 3, 2025. Additional letters
Reported 2025-10-10
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP25V455000
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.
Reported 2025-07-07
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V442000
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Reported 2025-06-27
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY25V393000
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.
Reported 2025-06-13
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V159000
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S27.
Reported 2025-03-14
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT25V166000
Risk: A disconnected driveshaft can result in vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S22.
Reported 2025-03-14
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS24V852000
Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
Reported 2024-11-08
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL24V635000
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S55.
Reported 2024-08-23
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2022 Ford Explorer?
Owners have filed 239 unverified allegations with NHTSA, including a reported 17 crash allegations, 22 injury allegations, and 1 fire allegation. The most frequently alleged problem areas are Power Train with 59 reports, Unknown Or Other with 49, Electrical System with 36, Engine with 24, Back Over Prevention with 22, and Fuel/Propulsion System with 17. These are unverified consumer claims, not established facts.
239 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2022 Ford Explorer?
For any shopper considering this 4-year-old vehicle, running the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool before purchase is the single most actionable safety step available. With 23 recall campaigns on record, confirming which remedies have been completed and which remain open is essential.
- The 2022 model year's Safety Index dropped two points to 74 out of 100 versus the 2021 model's 76, with the entire gap traceable to a defect-record sub-score of zero out of 20 driven by 23 recall campaigns.
- NHTSA awarded this configuration a perfect 5-out-of-5 side star rating, but overall and frontal ratings are not rated, meaning those specific test results do not exist for this vehicle and cannot be assumed.
- Recall campaigns for this model year span seat belt anchor bolts, windshield wiper motor, back-over prevention software, engine block heater wiring, and a gasoline fuel pump, covering multiple safety-critical systems simultaneously.
- The 239 unverified owner allegations on file include reported powertrain and back-over prevention complaints, the latter aligning directly with one of the active recall campaigns, making VIN-level recall verification especially important for used-market buyers.
RANKINGSWhere the 2022 Ford Explorer places
The 2022 Ford Explorer qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2022 Ford Explorer safety questions
Was the 2022 Ford Explorer crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2022 Ford Explorer, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 74 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2022 Ford Explorer crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2022 Ford Explorer earned 5 out of 5 stars for side and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 15.1%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2022 Ford Explorer have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 24 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2022 Ford Explorer. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2022 Ford Explorer?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 239 owner complaints are on file for the 2022 Ford Explorer. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Explorer years
Rivals in SUV (2022)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Tesla Model Y 5-Seat | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2022 Infiniti Qx55 | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
| 2022 Buick Encore GX | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2022 Buick Envision | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2022 Nissan Murano | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2022 Buick Enclave | 94/100 | 4 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 16383), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Ford Explorer 2022.
- 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 120 of 135 in the SUV class for 2022.
- 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.