Old Fuel System Safety Rules Retired
Published Date: 6/3/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting July 6, 2026, car makers must follow updated rules that remove old, unnecessary fuel system safety requirements. This change affects vehicle manufacturers and aims to keep fuel systems safe without extra costs or delays. If anyone wants to challenge the new rule, they have until July 20, 2026, to speak up.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Obsolete fuel-test specs removed
Starting July 6, 2026, NHTSA removes obsolete rear and side impact test specifications in FMVSS No. 301 that only applied to vehicles manufactured before September 1, 2006 (rear) and September 1, 2004 (side). The final rule revises paragraphs S6.2 and S6.3 and updates S7.2 and S7.3 to delete those phase-in test requirements.
No new paperwork or collections
NHTSA states this final rule removes obsolete regulatory text and does not create any new information collection requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act. That means the rule does not add new reporting or recordkeeping duties for affected parties.
Agency certifies minimal small-entity impact
NHTSA certified under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that this rule removing obsolete text "will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities," so a formal regulatory flexibility analysis was not required.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11072 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 214; Side Impact Protection; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 305a; Electric-Powered Vehicles: Electric Powertrain Integrity; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 307; Fuel System Integrity of Hydrogen Vehicles
Starting July 6, 2026, car makers must follow updated safety rules that clean up old, outdated side-impact protection standards and fix related rules for electric and hydrogen vehicles. These changes make the rules clearer without adding new costs or big changes for manufacturers. If anyone wants to challenge the updates, they have until July 20, 2026, to speak up.
2026-08144 — Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures
The Department of Transportation is bringing back and improving its rules for making new policies, giving guidance, and enforcing laws. This affects anyone involved in transportation regulations, making the process clearer and more consistent. These changes kick in on May 27, 2026, aiming to save time and avoid confusion without adding extra costs.
2026-05024 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 102 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles
NHTSA wants to update a safety rule to help self-driving cars that don’t have steering wheels or gear shifts. They’re proposing to remove the need for a gear position display in these automated vehicles, cutting costs without hurting safety. If you have thoughts, speak up by April 15, 2026!
2026-05023 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 103 and FMVSS No. 104 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles; Incorporation by Reference
NHTSA is updating rules for windshield defrosting, defogging, wiping, and washing to better fit self-driving cars that don’t have steering wheels or pedals. These cars won’t have to follow old rules meant for human drivers, cutting costs and unnecessary requirements without hurting safety. The changes kick in about six months after the final rule, and manufacturers can still add these features if they want.
2025-22674 — Public Hearing for Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards: The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicle Rule III for Model Years 2022 to 2031 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks
The government is holding a virtual public hearing on January 7, 2026, about new fuel economy rules for cars and light trucks from 2022 to 2031. These rules aim to keep vehicles safer and more affordable while improving fuel efficiency. If you care about how much gas your car uses or how much you pay at the pump, this is your chance to speak up before the rules are finalized.
2026-11079 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 206; Door Locks and Door Retention Components
Starting July 6, 2026, car makers must follow updated rules that remove old, unnecessary door lock requirements. This change affects vehicle manufacturers and helps simplify safety standards without extra costs. If anyone wants to challenge the rule, they have until July 20, 2026, to speak up.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-11076 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 222; School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection
Starting July 6, 2026, school bus makers must follow updated rules that remove old, unnecessary seating and crash protection requirements. This change affects manufacturers by simplifying safety standards without extra costs, making school buses safer and rules clearer. If anyone wants to challenge the new rule, they have until July 20, 2026, to speak up.
Next: 2026-11078 — Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 207; Seating Systems
Starting July 6, 2026, car makers must follow updated rules that clean up old, outdated seating system requirements. This change affects vehicle manufacturers by making safety standards clearer and simpler, with no added costs or delays. If anyone wants to challenge the new rule, they have until July 20, 2026, to speak up.