What is the safety rating of the Ford car?
The safety rating for Ford depends on the model and year; there is no single Ford-wide score. To know the exact rating, check the latest results from NHTSA and IIHS for the specific model and trim you’re interested in.
In practice, these ratings are issued separately by crash-test organizations and can vary by year, body style, and optional safety equipment. This article explains where to look, what the ratings mean, and how to interpret them for a particular Ford car you’re evaluating.
How safety ratings are determined
There are two primary, widely recognized sources of consumer-vehicle safety ratings in the United States: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Each agency uses its own testing protocols, criteria, and rating scales.
NHTSA star ratings
NHTSA awards an overall 1-5 star rating based on frontal, side, and rollover crash tests, plus analysis of other safety features. Ratings are published for specific model-years and can differ by trim and configuration.
IIHS crash-test ratings
IIHS evaluates crashworthiness and optional advanced safety technologies. Vehicles can receive ratings such as Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor, and may earn Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ status if they meet additional criteria in various test categories.
Where to check current Ford safety ratings
To verify the safety rating for a specific Ford model-year, consult these official sources. They provide model- and trim-specific results you can trust for up-to-date information.
- NHTSA SaferCar.gov: overall star ratings and individual crash-test results by model-year
- IIHS.org: crash-test results and Top Safety Pick/top-tier status by model-year
- Ford’s official vehicle safety pages or authorized dealer materials: model-specific safety features and documentation
If you’re shopping, compare all three sources for the most complete view of a Ford model’s safety performance.
Interpreting the ratings for your Ford model
Understanding the ratings goes beyond a single number or label. Here are the key points to keep in mind when evaluating a Ford car's safety profile.
When evaluating safety for a Ford, follow these steps to confirm the rating for your exact configuration:
- Identify the precise model year and trim level you’re considering.
- Look up the NHTSA star rating for that model-year and trim on SaferCar.gov, noting any caveats about specific configurations.
- Check IIHS results for the same model-year and trim on IIHS.org, and note if it earned Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ and which tests contributed to the rating.
- Review the safety features listed by Ford for that trim (e.g., automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist), as available safety tech can influence ratings and real-world performance.
- Consider consumer recalls or safety notices related to the model-year, which can affect long-term safety performance.
Ratings may change with new model-year updates or after additional tests are conducted, so it’s worth checking the latest results close to your decision date.
Summary
Ford safety ratings are model- and year-specific, with the two primary sources being NHTSA and IIHS. To determine the safety rating for a particular Ford car, identify the exact model year and trim, then consult NHTSA and IIHS pages, plus Ford’s official materials for that configuration. By comparing these sources and considering the included safety features, you’ll get a clear picture of how a given Ford model performs in safety testing.
