Ford Explorer 2002-05 models mfg. after Oct. 2001 results also apply to: 2003-05 Lincoln Aviator | 2002-05 Mercury Mountaineer (mfg. after Oct. 2001) FRONTAL OFFSET TEST OVERALL EVALUATION: Good Structure/safety cage Injury measures Restraints/dummy kinematics Head/neck Chest Leg/foot, left Leg/foot, right Good Good Good Good Acceptable Good Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight. Test details: The Ford Explorer 4-door (except the Sport Trac model) and the Mercury Mountaineer were redesigned for the 2002 model year. Explorers and Mountaineers manufactured after October 2001 include structural changes to improve occupant protection in frontal offset crashes (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of a 2002 Explorer with the structural changes in a 40 mph frontal offset crash test into a deformable barrier. The Explorer and Mountaineer have been re-engineered for the 2006 model year, and the Aviator has been dropped. Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit the roof rail, window frame, and B-pillar. Injury measures — Measures taken from the head, neck, and chest indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. Forces on the right tibia indicate that injuries to the lower leg would be possible. Head accelerations from the roof rail, window frame, and B-pillar hits were negligible.