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You might find this surprising! The safest Ford vehicle at the moment is the Ford Explorer. This SUV had a rocky start with its latest generation, but it has been improving. See how safe and reliable the 2024 Ford Explorer really is. 

How safe and reliable is the 2024 Ford Explorer? 

The 2024 Ford Explorer is extremely safe. It’s actually the only Ford model in the entire lineup to earn the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) title of Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+. 

This is a bit of a surprise because you would expect the Ford Escape or Ford Edge to have better results. Also, the IIHS just made it harder to earn these titles. 

A few other automakers only had one vehicle earn the Top Safety Pick+ title as well. The Explorer joins the Toyota Prius, Subaru Ascent, and Kia Telluride. 

The side impact test was updated from being hit with a 3,100 lb sled to a 4,200 lb sled to better reflect the size of today’s vehicles. The small overlap test that simulates hitting a tree or pole is now tested on the driver and passenger side. 

The 2024 Ford Explorer off-roading
2024 Ford Explorer | Ford

Also, the pedestrian avoidance system tests now combine daytime and nighttime scores. If either crash test is failed then the vehicles don’t receive either award. 

The Ford Explorer has 38 Good ratings for its ability to protect passengers, which is the highest score possible. It only has three Acceptable scores and didn’t get any Marginal ratings. 

However, the seatbelt reminders earned a Poor score due to having a long initiation time, not being loud enough, and not lasting long enough. 

According to J.D.Power, the 2024 Ford Explorer has a reliability rating of 82 out of 100. Anything between 81 and 90 is above average and scores between 91 and 100 are best. The 2020 Explorer earned a 60, so massive improvements have been made. 

The scores are based on feedback from actual owners and the issues they faced. Everything from the paint, electronics, transmission, interior quality, and engine is included. 

So the Ford Explorer is safe and reliable. It might be a better SUV than you think.

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Staff Writer

Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.