Hyundai to Standardize Rear-Seat Reminder

Hyundai Motor Co. plans to standardize its rear occupant alert system on all 2022-model vehicles sold in the U.S.

The carmaker introduced the feature, which is designed to prevent children from being inadvertently left in a vehicle, last year on select models. General Motors and Nissan offer similar systems.

Hyundai’s base system detects if a rear door was opened or closed before the car was started. If so, a “check the rear seat” notice (pictured) will be displayed in the center cluster as the driver prepares to leave the vehicle.

Hyundai also offers a more sophisticated rear-seat alert system that uses motion sensors to detect the presence of children and animals in the rear seat. If movement is detected after the driver leaves the vehicle, the car’s horn will be sounded and an alert will be sent to the owner’s smartphone.

Since 1998, more than 800 children in the U.S. have died from being left inside a hot car. Earlier this year, the U.S. Senate introduced a bill that would require the National Highway Safety Administration to mandate rear-seat reminder systems in coming years.