NHTSA Delays Event Data Recorder Mandate Until 2031
Published Date: 5/18/2026
Rule
Summary
The government is giving car makers more time to add better crash data recorders in vehicles, starting a slow rollout from September 2028 through 2031. This change affects all vehicle manufacturers, with smaller makers and special vehicles getting extra time until 2032 or 2033. The goal? Make sure new safety tech fits smoothly into car production without rushing, and yes, early upgrades are welcome!
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Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Four-year phase-in for EDR upgrades
If you manufacture vehicles, the rule gives a four-year phase-in for the expanded Event Data Recorder (EDR) requirements starting September 1, 2028. Manufacturers must equip 25% of applicable EDR-equipped vehicles produced from Sept 1, 2028–Aug 31, 2029, 50% from Sept 1, 2029–Aug 31, 2030, 75% from Sept 1, 2030–Aug 31, 2031, and 100% on or after Sept 1, 2031.
Extra year for small-volume makers
Small-volume and limited-line vehicle manufacturers get extra time: they must comply with the EDR requirements beginning September 1, 2032. This delay is one additional year beyond the general phase-in schedule.
Estimated industry cost savings from delay
NHTSA estimates the delayed phase-in will save industry between $35.54 million and $89.82 million (in 2024 dollars) from 2027 through 2030; discounted savings at 3% are about $30.67 million to $77.52 million and at 7% about $25.40 million to $64.19 million. NHTSA also projects annual industry impacts between $13.26 million and $33.52 million (in 2022 dollars) from the underlying upgrade costs.
Owner privacy and EDR data rights affirmed
If you own or lease a vehicle, the rule reiterates that part 563 does not require personally identifiable data to be recorded in EDRs and that, under the Driver Privacy Act of 2015, recorded EDR data are the property of the vehicle owner or lessee and generally may not be accessed by others except under enumerated exceptions. Data used for traffic safety research must not disclose owner identity or VIN.
Two-stage/altered vehicles delayed to 2033
Vehicles manufactured in two or more stages or that are altered are not required to meet the new EDR requirements until on or after September 1, 2033. Manufacturers of altered or multi-stage vehicles therefore have two additional years compared with the main phase-in.
Annual EDR phase-in reporting required
If you manufacture vehicles, you must submit annual EDR Phase-In reports within 60 days after the production year ending August 31 for each year from 2029 through 2032. Reports must state how many vehicles produced are equipped with EDRs and which of those meet the revised Sec. 563.7 requirements, and manufacturers must keep VIN records until December 31, 2033.
Voluntary early compliance allowed
Manufacturers are allowed to comply with the expanded EDR pre-crash data capture requirements earlier than the phase-in schedule if they choose; voluntary early compliance is explicitly permitted.
First affected model year: MY2029 buyers
The agency states the first model year impacted by this final rule will apply to consumers purchasing new model year 2029 (MY2029) vehicles; the phase-in timing means MY2029 vehicles will start to reflect the mandated EDR upgrades under the schedule.
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