Changes to the Motor Vehicle Recall Program Could Reduce Potential Safety Hazards
CED-82-99
Published: Aug 24, 1982. Publicly Released: Aug 24, 1982.
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Highlights
GAO reported on the Motor Vehicle Recall Program's safety defect investigation process and its owner response rates. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which administers the program, conducts defect investigations of approximately 50 to 70 percent of the recalled motor vehicles, and the motor vehicle industry voluntarily initiates investigations of the remaining recalls. Since 1966, about 128 million motor vehicles, tires, and other related replacement items have been recalled because of safety defects. GAO reviewed the recall program to determine if: (1) NHTSA could hasten its safety defect identification process; and (2) the number of owners responding to recalls could be increased.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should instruct the Administrator, NHTSA, to take corrective action to speed up the defect investigation process by reducing delays caused by the Office of Chief Counsel review. Specifically, the Administrator should look at whether better coordination and more direct communication between the Office of Defects Investigation and the Office of Chief Counsel could achieve this goal and how specific review time frames could be established to eliminate further delays. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should instruct the Administrator, NHTSA, to work with motor vehicle manufacturers to change the wording and format in a recall letter to lower its reading level and test the revised letter in an actual recall to determine its effectiveness in increasing response rates. |
Closed – Implemented
The Associate Administrator for Enforcement stated that research was completed and that the tests did not show much improvement. NHTSA is considering testing another change which may increase the recall response rate. This would delete the requirement that the manufacturer state that a defect was determined. If both changes are appropriate, they would be made into a single-regulation revision.
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| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of Transportation should instruct the Administrator, NHTSA, to work with motor vehicle manufacturers to test various reminder techniques in actual recalls to determine whether they increase response rates and are cost-effective. |
Closed – Implemented
The Associate Administrator for Enforcement stated that research testing was completed on this recommendation and showed that post card notifications resulted in a 2- to 4-percent improvement in the recall response rate. He said that the Department of Transportation does not have the authority to require such notifications, so NHTSA may request legislation providing that authority.
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Consumer protectionMotor vehicle safetyMotor vehicle standardsProduct recallsProgram managementSafety regulationStandards evaluationEngineeringMotor vehiclesLitigation