The 2006 Ford Explorer marked a significant redesign for this popular SUV, and safety-conscious buyers are keen to understand how it performs in crash tests. This article delves into the crash test ratings for the 2006-2010 Ford Explorer models, providing a clear picture of its safety performance based on evaluations.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted moderate overlap frontal crash tests on the Ford Explorer, and the ratings apply to models from 2006 through 2010. Ford themselves conducted the test that the IIHS used to assign these ratings. The results offer valuable insights into the vehicle’s structural integrity and occupant protection in a common type of collision.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The 2006 Ford Explorer earned a “Good” overall rating in the moderate overlap frontal test. This top rating signifies that in this type of crash, the vehicle provides a high level of protection for its occupants. Specifically, the evaluation considered several key aspects of safety performance:
Structural Integrity and Safety Cage: A “Good” rating for structure and safety cage is critical. It means the Explorer’s structure effectively maintained its integrity during the crash. This limits the intrusion into the occupant compartment, which is crucial for preventing injuries.
Driver Injury Measures: The test assessed potential injuries to the driver across several body regions. The 2006 Ford Explorer achieved “Good” ratings across the board for driver injury measures, including:
- Head/Neck: Indicating a low risk of head and neck injuries.
- Chest: Showing good protection for the chest area.
- Leg/Foot (Left & Right): Demonstrating effective protection for the lower extremities.
Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: This aspect evaluates how well the seatbelts and airbags work together to control the occupant’s movement during a crash. A “Good” rating here suggests that the restraint systems in the 2006 Ford Explorer are effective in minimizing injury risk by properly managing the driver’s motion in a frontal collision.
It’s also important to note that these moderate overlap frontal crash test ratings extend to the Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Although the Sport Trac was redesigned for the 2007 model year (with no 2006 version available), its structural similarities to the Explorer mean it shares these safety characteristics. The key difference lies in the Sport Trac’s longer wheelbase and open cargo bed, replacing the enclosed cargo area and optional third-row seating found in the standard Explorer SUV.
Technical measurements from the crash test provide a more detailed look at the vehicle’s performance.
Measures of Occupant Compartment Intrusion on Driver Side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTF0602 |
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 9 |
| Left (cm) | 9 |
| Center (cm) | 9 |
| Right (cm) | 8 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 6 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 4 |
| Right (cm) | 3 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | 4 |
| Rearward (cm) | -4 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 5 |
These measurements quantify the amount of intrusion into the driver’s side of the occupant compartment. Lower numbers generally indicate better performance, as less intrusion equates to more space remaining for the occupant, reducing injury risk. For the 2006 Ford Explorer, the measurements show relatively limited intrusion in key areas like the footwell and instrument panel.
Driver Injury Measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTF0602 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 353 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 18 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 8 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.25 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 34 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 0.2 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 0.3 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 4 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 1 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.50 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.47 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 2.1 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 2.0 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 86 |
| Right | 82 |
These driver injury measures provide data collected from sensors on a crash test dummy. Values like HIC (Head Injury Criterion), Nij (Neck Injury Criterion), chest compression, femur force, and tibia index are used by safety engineers to assess the likelihood and severity of injuries to different body regions. The measurements recorded for the 2006 Ford Explorer in this test are within ranges that indicate good occupant protection.
In conclusion, the 2006 Ford Explorer demonstrates solid safety performance in moderate overlap frontal crash testing, earning a “Good” overall rating from IIHS based on Ford’s test data. This rating, along with detailed measurements, offers valuable information for anyone considering a 2006-2010 Ford Explorer or Explorer Sport Trac and prioritizing safety in their vehicle choice.
