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The 2026 Jeep Wrangler 4-door remained upright during the driver-side small overlap crash test, resolving a longstanding issue with the popular SUV, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) said today. The improved result came after changes were made to the frame rail.*
“Wranglers built after October 2025 earn an acceptable small overlap rating, which combines results from the driver-side and passenger-side tests. While the vehicle provides solid protection overall, in the passenger-side test, it showed a high risk of injury to the front passenger’s right foot and leg,” IIHS said.** Continue reading
Windshield Wiper Failures – Ford Motor Recalls 605,000 SUVs
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is recalling ~604,533 model-year 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair sport utility vehicles. The front windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly. Dealers have been told not to demonstrate or deliver vehicles in stock. Ford initially dismissed the safety defect “since it did not pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.” Ford is operating under a consent order from NHTSA because of its previous handing of recalls.
“During assembly of the front windshield wiper motor, the motor’s cover terminal may have been misaligned with the brush card terminal. This condition creates a poor connection that results in a loss of electrical continuity within the motor over time,” Ford told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the mandatory safety defect recall document made public by NHTSA this morning. The defective wiper motor was supplied by Valeo North America and made in Mexico. Continue reading →