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FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards)

The set of federal regulations that establish minimum safety performance requirements for motor vehicles and equipment.

What It Means

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards cover everything from crash protection (airbags, seatbelts, crumple zones) to crash avoidance (braking, lighting, tire pressure) to post-crash survivability (fuel system integrity, door locks). There are over 70 FMVSS standards. Manufacturers must certify compliance before selling vehicles in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "FMVSS" mean?

The set of federal regulations that establish minimum safety performance requirements for motor vehicles and equipment.

Why does FMVSS matter for vehicle safety?

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards cover everything from crash protection (airbags, seatbelts, crumple zones) to crash avoidance (braking, lighting, tire pressure) to post-crash survivability (fuel system integrity, door locks). There are over 70 FMVSS standards. Manufacturers must certify compl...

Related Terms

NHTSA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — the federal agency responsible for vehicle safety standards and recall enforcement.
Defect Investigation
A formal NHTSA inquiry into a potential safety defect, often triggered by consumer complaints or crash data.
Lemon Law
State laws that provide remedies for buyers of vehicles that repeatedly fail to meet standards of quality and performance.

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About This Data

Definitions based on NHTSA standards, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, and federal enforcement guidance. See our privacy policy.