Auto Safety: NHTSA Has Options to Improve the Safety Defect Recall Process

Download or read book Auto Safety: NHTSA Has Options to Improve the Safety Defect Recall Process written by Susan A. Fleming and published by DIANE Publishing. This book was released on 2011-05-12 with total page 63 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 2010, auto manufacturers recalled more vehicles than any other year, according to the Nat. Highway Traffic Safety Admin. (NHTSA), the federal oversight authority for vehicle recalls. However, many recalled vehicles are never fixed, posing a risk to vehicle operators, other drivers, and pedestrians. After the recent recalls of Toyota vehicles, Congress raised questions about the auto safety defect recall process, including the sufficiency of NHTSA's oversight authorities and whether vehicle owners are being effectively motivated to comply with recalls. This report reviewed laws and documents and interviewed NHTSA and stakeholders about the (1) extent of NHTSA's role in the recall process, and how its authorities compare to selected federal and foreign agencies that oversee recalls; (2) benefits and challenges of the recall process for NHTSA and manufacturers; and (3) options for improving the recall process. Figures and tables. This is a print on demand report.