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Interior accessories look like the lowest-risk upgrade, but two of them sit next to safety systems: seat covers go over seat-mounted side airbags, and the driver's floor mat sits under the pedals. The sections below the picks give the manufacturer and NHTSA guidance for both, plus the rules on where a phone mount can go.
Best for Owners who regularly get in with wet or muddy clothing and want water-resistant seat protection.
- Neoprene material per listing.
- Listed fitment: 2019–current Silverado/Sierra 1500.
Best for Owners wanting a heavy-duty, work-oriented seat cover material.
- 500 denier nylon duck per listing.
- Front seat cover.
Best for Owners wanting durable, easy-to-clean floor protection.
- Listed fitment: 2015–2026 F-150 SuperCrew, including Lightning.
Best for Owners whose phone bounces loose on rough roads with a standard suction mount.
- Vibration-absorbing design per listing.
- Marketed for truck use.
Seat Covers and Side Airbags
Many trucks have side airbags inside the outer edge of the front seatbacks. Ford's 2022 Expedition supplemental owner's guide gives two warnings that apply to any seat cover or seat-mounted accessory:
- accessory seat covers not released by Ford could prevent the airbags from deploying and increase the risk of injury in a crash;
- don't place objects or mount equipment on or near the airbag cover on the side of the seatbacks, or anywhere a deploying airbag could reach.
Before buying, check the seat for an airbag label and read your owner's manual. Then confirm that the cover's maker states it is side-airbag compatible for your exact year, cab and seat (bench, 40/20/40 or bucket). Organizers and phone mounts that hang from the seat's outer side fall under the same warning.
Floor Mats and the Pedals
NHTSA recall 09V388 shows why the driver's mat matters. Toyota recalled 4,445,056 vehicles from model years 2004–2010, including 2005–2010 Tacoma and 2007–2010 Tundra pickups, because an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat could trap the accelerator pedal in the wide-open position. Toyota's installation instructions in that campaign apply to any truck:
| Toyota's floor-mat rule | Why |
|---|---|
| Use only mats designed for your model and model year | Shape and thickness must clear the pedals |
| Secure the driver's mat with all its retaining clips | A loose mat can slide forward under the pedal |
| Never stack one mat on top of another | The clips hold only one mat at a time |
| Never install a mat upside down | It won't sit or lock in place correctly |
| Press the accelerator, brake and clutch fully after installing | Confirms nothing touches the pedals |
That is the case for a model-specific liner like the F-150 set above over a universal trim-to-fit mat. When you switch to all-weather liners, take the carpet mat out rather than leaving it underneath.
Cleaning Liners Without Making Them Slippery
Husky Liners' care guide for its WeatherBeater liners: take them out, shake off loose dirt, rinse with a hose or pressure washer, scrub with mild soap if needed, rinse again and let them air-dry before locking them back in. It warns never to use household floor wax or tire-shine products, which leave the surface slippery underfoot, and to avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive tools.
Where a Phone Mount Is Legal
State law decides where a phone can go, and California's rules are specific. A windshield mount is allowed only in a 7-inch square in the lower corner farthest from the driver, or a 5-inch square in the lower corner nearest the driver that is outside the airbag deployment zone (CVC §26708). A dashboard or center-console mount is allowed if it doesn't block the driver's view of the road. While driving, the phone may be touched only with a single swipe or tap (CVC §23123.5). A vibration-damping dash mount like the one above falls under the dashboard rule. Other states set their own rules, so check yours.
Model-Specific Shortlists
For interior parts built around one vehicle's console, seats and floor pan, see the model-specific shortlists on the Must-Haves page.
Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, Toyota, Husky Liners and Carhartt are trademarks of their respective owners. 4x4 & Overlanding is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by any vehicle manufacturer.
Sources
- Ford — 2022 Expedition Supplemental Owner's Guide: How Do the Side Airbags Work — Accessory seat covers not released by Ford could prevent airbag deployment; do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the seatback side airbag area.
- NHTSA Recall 09V388 — Floor Mat Pedal Entrapment — Toyota recall of 4,445,056 model-year 2004–2010 vehicles, including 2005–2010 Tacoma and 2007–2010 Tundra: an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat could trap the accelerator pedal.
- Toyota — 09V388 Owner Notice and Floor Mat Installation Instructions (NHTSA file) — Use only mats designed for the model and year; secure with all retaining clips; never stack mats (clips hold one mat); never install upside down; check accelerator, brake and clutch travel after installing.
- Husky Liners — How to Clean WeatherBeater Floor Liners — Remove, shake, rinse with a hose or pressure washer, mild soap, air-dry; never use floor wax or tire shine, which make liners slippery; avoid harsh chemicals and abrasives.
- California Vehicle Code §26708 — Windshield obstructions — Device may be mounted in a 7-inch square in the lower windshield corner farthest from the driver or a 5-inch square in the corner nearest the driver, outside the airbag deployment zone.
- California Vehicle Code §23123.5 — Handheld wireless devices — Phone may be mounted on the windshield per §26708 or on the dashboard or console without blocking the view; operated only by a single swipe or tap.