The window sticker, officially the Monroney label, is required by federal law (the Automobile Information Disclosure Act of 1958) on every new car sold in the US. It must show the base MSRP, itemized factory options and their prices, destination charge, EPA fuel economy and estimated annual fuel cost, safety ratings when available, and the vehicle's parts-content and final assembly location. Dealers cannot legally remove it before sale, though they can add a separate supplemental sticker for dealer add-ons and market adjustments.
At a glance
| Section | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Base price | MSRP for the trim before options |
| Standard equipment | Features included at that price |
| Optional equipment | Factory/port-installed options with individual prices |
| Destination charge | Flat manufacturer shipping fee — not negotiable, same for every buyer of that model |
| Total MSRP | Base + options + destination |
| Fuel economy | EPA city/highway/combined mpg or MPGe, estimated annual fuel cost |
| Safety ratings | NHTSA star ratings, when tested |
| Parts content & assembly | % US/Canadian parts content, country of final assembly, engine/transmission origin |
Why it's called the Monroney label
The label is named after Senator Mike Monroney, who sponsored the 1958 federal law requiring manufacturers to disclose standardized pricing and content information on every new car. It's a consumer-protection law, not a dealer courtesy — removing it before a sale is completed is illegal, and it must stay affixed to the window until the customer takes delivery.
Reading the price breakdown
The top section lists the base price for that specific trim, followed by each factory-installed or port-installed option with its individual price, then the destination/delivery charge. The destination charge is set by the manufacturer, applies equally to every buyer of that model regardless of where they live, and is not something a dealer can waive or negotiate — treat any claim otherwise with skepticism.
Fuel economy and cost estimates
EPA-mandated figures show city, highway and combined mpg (or MPGe/range for EVs) based on standardized lab testing, plus an estimated annual fuel cost assuming average mileage and current national fuel price assumptions. Real-world mileage varies with driving style, climate and terrain, but the EPA numbers are the only apples-to-apples way to compare different vehicles' efficiency.
Safety ratings
When NHTSA has completed testing on that model, the label shows the overall star rating (out of 5) plus category breakdowns for frontal, side and rollover risk. Newly released models sometimes don't yet have a rating; check nhtsa.gov or iihs.org directly if the label shows no score.
Parts content and assembly location
A federally mandated section discloses the percentage of US/Canadian parts content, the countries supplying the engine and transmission, and the final assembly plant location and country. This section exists partly for consumer information and partly to support American Automobile Labeling Act disclosure requirements — useful if country of origin matters to your purchase decision.
| What the sticker legally must include | What it does NOT include |
|---|---|
| Base MSRP, options pricing, destination charge | Dealer market adjustment or added markup |
| EPA fuel economy and annual fuel cost estimate | Real-world mileage you'll actually get |
| NHTSA safety star ratings (if tested) | IIHS ratings (published separately by IIHS) |
| Parts content and assembly location | Negotiated selling price or your out-the-door cost |
A supplemental sticker listing dealer-installed accessories, paint protection, or a market-adjustment markup is legal, but it is not part of the federally required Monroney label and everything on it is negotiable.
Frequently asked questions
Is the window sticker price on a new car negotiable?
Can a dealer remove the Monroney label before selling a car?
Why does the window sticker show a different fuel economy than I get in real driving?
Where can I find safety ratings not shown on the sticker?
Sources & further reading
Figures, prices and policy details were current at the last-updated date above. Automotive pricing, incentives and regulations change frequently — verify time-sensitive details with the linked primary sources. Read our editorial policy and fact-checking standards.
