Rear Seat Belt Warning Systems to Become Mandatory in U.S. Vehicles by 2027

The new federal rule aims to increase seat belt usage and reduce fatalities with enhanced audible and visual alerts for all passengers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finalized a rule requiring rear seat belt warning systems in all new U.S. vehicles starting September 1, 2027.
The regulation will also mandate longer and more robust warnings for unfastened front seat belts beginning September 1, 2026.
NHTSA estimates the new rule will save approximately 50 lives and prevent over 500 injuries annually once fully implemented.
The rule applies to passenger cars, trucks, multipurpose vehicles, and buses weighing up to 10,000 pounds, excluding school buses.
Data from 2022 shows rear seat belt usage lags behind front seat usage, with 82% compliance in the rear compared to 92% in the front, contributing to nearly half of all passenger fatalities.