IIHS ratings show most minivans need better seatbelt reminders

New ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that most minivans need better seatbelt reminders.

In the ratings released Thursday morning, only one minivan, the 2023 Toyota Sienna, earned a good rating. It was the only one in the IIHS’ test group to have second-row belt reminders.

“Effective seat belt reminders are especially important for minivans, since the owners of these vehicles often buy them specifically because they have young children,” said IIHS Senior Research Scientist David Kidd, who led the development of the seat belt reminder rating program. “While some of its competitors are falling short, Toyota deserves credit for going above and beyond.”

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Federal standards specify that seat belt reminders must include an audible signal that lasts for four to eight seconds and a visual alert that lasts at least 60 seconds when the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled at ignition.

The IIHS said that federal regulations for seatbelt reminders are not strong enough for the front seat and do not cover the back seat. Because of that, the IIHS created their belt reminder rating program.

Other minivans included in this year’s test were Kia Carnival, Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. The IIHS said they each needed improvement. This was the institute’s ratings for each of them:

• Kia Carnival: Acceptable rating. It satisfies the requirements for the front row, but is missing a second-row reminder.
• Chrysler Pacifica: Marginal rating. Front row reminder failed to start within the required two second after the van reached 25 mph. The audible tone was also not loud enough.
• Honda Odyssey: Poor rating. The front-row reminder lasts less than eight seconds.

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In 2022, more than a third of children ages 4-12 years old killed in crashes were unrestrained. In a IIHS survey, more than 80 percent of drivers who regularly transported children said they would want back-row seat belt reminders.

Including the newly rated minivans, about half of 82 vehicles tested by the IIHS have second-row seat belt reminders, but only 25 have reminders that meet the institute’s criteria.

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