NHTSA Pushes Back New Car Safety Rules by One Year
Published Date: 9/22/2025
Notice
Summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is delaying the new safety updates for the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) from model year 2026 to 2027. This means car makers and buyers will have an extra year before the new rules kick in, giving everyone more time to get ready. No extra costs or fees are announced, just a simple one-year wait.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
NCAP Safety Updates Delayed One Year
If you make or buy a new car, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration delayed the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) safety updates that were to start with model year 2026 until model year 2027. The agency published the original notices on November 25, 2024 and December 3, 2024, and said there are no new costs or fees — just a one-year postponement to give makers and buyers more time to prepare.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in