On the Dash:
- NHTSA will delay implementation of updated 5-Star Safety Ratings and new crash-prevention technologies until the 2027 model year.
- Automakers argued they needed more time to redesign vehicles after NHTSA delayed publishing pedestrian crash test procedures.
- The postponed changes include pedestrian automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind spot warning, and blind-spot intervention.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will delay implementing updates to its five-star safety rating program until the 2027 model year, the U.S. safety agency announced on Friday. The program, widely used by consumers to evaluate vehicle safety, was set to include new crash prevention technologies starting with the 2026 model year.
In November 2024, NHTSA finalized updates to the 5-Star Safety Ratings program under the requirements of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The updated program was designed to speed adoption of technologies aimed at reducing crashes and pedestrian fatalities. The changes included four new safety technologies: pedestrian automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind spot warning and intervention for blind-spot maneuvers.
The delay comes after the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing nearly all major U.S. and international automakers, challenged the rule. The trade group argued that NHTSA failed to publish pedestrian crash test procedures in a timely manner, leaving automakers insufficient time to redesign vehicles to meet the new standards. The agency acknowledged the need for additional time to allow manufacturers to implement the changes effectively without compromising vehicle design or innovation.
While automakers generally support improved safety standards, the trade group warned that the original timeline would have limited the number of vehicles able to earn top ratings and increased production costs. NHTSA’s postponement aims to balance consumer safety goals with industry readiness.
