- In a break from the past, the 2026 Jeep Wrangler remained upright in the latest IIHS crash test.
- Enhancements to the frame rail correct a longstanding problem in the Jeep Wrangler.
- The Wrangler 4-door improved from a Marginal to an Acceptable crash-test rating.
The 2026 Jeep Wrangler 4-door tested positive for safety, according to the latest crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In a break from the past, the Wrangler remained upright after slamming into a barrier at 40 mph. In the past, the Wrangler would tip, contributing to its overall poor safety record.
The improvements came after changes were made to the frame rail, the IIHS reported, adding that the enhancements to the 2026 model resolved a “longstanding issue with the popular SUV.”
In the past, the Wrangler tipped and rolled over in the driver-side small overlap test. This was of particular concern for the Wrangler since it has a removable roof and removable doors, as well as lacking side curtain airbags. The test simulates a vehicle striking a fixed barrier on the driver’s front side at a speed of 40 mph. The IIHS tests it on both the driver and passenger side to determine a vehicle’s safety if it were to hit a fixed object, such as a tree.
Single-vehicle crashes, such as rollovers or hitting a pole, account for more than half of all traffic fatalities, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).
The new test results bode well for the Wrangler and its reputation. The taller ride height and short wheelbase of the Wrangler historically made it susceptible to crashes. Yet the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn’t tested it recently.
The 2026 Wrangler results prompted the IIHS to change the SUV’s overall crash-test rating from Marginal to Acceptable. To qualify for one of the automotive industry’s most coveted safety awards, an IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+, a vehicle must earn “Good” ratings on both the driver and passenger front overlap test.
The results found that the passenger-side test caused a high risk of injury to the passenger’s right foot and leg, which is the side of direct impact with the barrier.
The same results apply to the 2026 Jeep Gladiator, which is a pickup truck version of the Wrangler. The enhancement applies only to Wrangler and Gladiator models built after October 2025.
