“Every day we work to ensure that automakers recall vehicles that fail to meet safety standards or that have safety defects.”
A new regulation issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires auto and motorcycle manufacturers to provide information on uncompleted recalls online. During a speech at the Washington Automotive Press Association, NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said that the safety information would be searchable by the Vehicle Identification Number, aka VIN, on uncompleted recalls free of charge.
Strickland, one of the few Obama Administration political appointees who actually appears qualified for his job based on AutoInformed’s coverage of the Department of Transportation, said car owner and prospective buyers will be able to find out if service is required to address an uncompleted safety recall.
Automakers and motorcycle manufacturers will have to update that information at least once a week; effective one year from now. NHTSA will offer the ability to search the industry recall data through its website SaferCar.gov.
“We continue to work across the spectrum of vehicle and behavioral issues to protect the American public, and help motorists make intelligent choices about their vehicles,” said Strickland. “We help consumers buy the safest vehicle for their needs. We help them drive and maintain their vehicle so that they and their families feel safe when they get behind the wheel and on the road. And every day we work to ensure that automakers recall vehicles that fail to meet safety standards or that have safety defects.”
The Association of Global Automakers is pleased with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) announcement today that lets manufacturers continue to provide consumers information related to all open recalls for both safety and emissions for a specific VIN, as well as any available customer satisfaction campaigns on their websites.
We are happy with NHTSA’s decision not to create an additional database. Letting manufacturers continue to host recall information on their own websites will avoid potential confusion for consumers looking to find recall information quickly and efficiently.
Global Automakers’ members currently make vehicle recall information available to consumers through many channels, including: manufacturer websites; toll-free numbers; dealers; and through arrangements with third-party providers of vehicle history information. Through these channels, consumers can determine whether a specific vehicle has been involved in a recall action, and whether or not that vehicle has had the recall repair completed.