When did emergency trunk releases become mandatory?

2002
Cars.com’s Matt Schmitz highlights the importance of the emergency trunk release lever. A mandate in 2002 required all cars to feature a standard glow-in-the-dark trunk-release lever, which opens the trunk from the inside in the event of an emergency.

Is there a trunk release button?

Press and hold the trunk release button on the remote transmitter. To close the trunk, press down on the trunk lid. As a safety feature, your vehicle has a release lever on the trunk latch so the trunk can be opened from the inside. To open the trunk, push the release lever to the left.

Do cars have an internal boot latch?

Most cars have an internal boot release (or trunk release, as the US would have it), and this is the key to a rapid exit. Almost all of these systems work the same way, since there’s no real advantage for a car maker to have a totally proprietary latch system.

Do all cars have emergency trunk release?

All American cars made after 2002 are required to have a trunk release inside the trunk, thanks to a national law. It will usually be a glow-in-the-dark handle located near the trunk latch, but it may also be a cord, button, or toggle switch, or a handle that does not glow in the dark.

How do you open a trunk without a key or button?

There are a few options to consider.

1. Get Your Spare Keys.
2. Use the Trunk Release Button.
3. Fold Your Seats Down.
4. Override the Locking Mechanism.
5. Call a Locksmith.
6. Pop-A-Lock of Phoenix.

Can you escape from a car boot?

Kick Your Way Out If the car is parked and empty, kick through the backseat and crawl out through the passenger compartment. If you can’t manage that kind of escape, you might be able to kick out a tail light from inside the trunk. Once the light is out, stick your hand out through the hole and wave to attract help.

When did they start putting trunk releases in cars?

September 1, 2001
This document establishes new Federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) No. 401; Internal trunk release, that requires all new passenger cars with trunks be equipped with a release latch inside the trunk compartment beginning September 1, 2001.

When did NHTSA require a trunk release latch?

On December 17, 1999, NHTSA published an NPRM in the Federal Register proposing a new FMVSS to require that all new vehicles with trunks come equipped with a release latch inside the trunk compartment beginning January 1, 2001 (See 64 FR 70672). The comment period for the notice ended on February 15, 2000.

What is the history of motor vehicle trunk entrapment?

The issue of motor vehicle trunk entrapment was initially raised in May Start Printed Page 63015 of 1984 when NHTSA was petitioned by Mr. William Proehl to require that every new car be equipped with a trunk release lever that can be easily operated from inside a vehicle’s trunk.

What is a passive trunk release system?

Instead of a release latch, this document also permits the installation of an alternative system such as a passive trunk release system which would detect the presence of a human in the trunk and would automatically unlatch the trunk lid.

When did the new trunk safety rule come into effect?

This new standard will provide children and others who find themselves trapped inside a passenger car trunk a chance to get out of the trunk alive. Effective Date: The effective date of the final rule is September 1, 2001. Early compliance date.