What year was airbags required in cars and trucks?

Airbags became a requirement for all new passenger vehicles in the United States starting with the 1999 model year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mandated that all cars and light trucks must be equipped with driver-side airbags, with passenger-side airbags becoming mandatory in 2000. Over the years, regulations have expanded to include additional safety features and requirements for various vehicle types.