A Common Objective: Vehicle Safety
A Look at the Upcoming Federal Safety Recall
Look-Up Tool
NAMVBC 2013 Fall Workshop
Jennifer Timian
Chief, Recall Management Division
U.S. Department of Transportation, NHTSA
Outline
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Who is NHTSA?
What are safety recalls?
Facts and Stats
Upcoming VIN Look-Up Tool
– Why does this matter to you?
• What can YOU do to help?
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Who is NHTSA?
Driver Behavior
Vehicle Safety
NHTSA's Mission
NHTSA is responsible for reducing
deaths, injuries and economic losses
resulting from motor vehicle crashes.
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How do we meet our Mission?
• Setting and enforcing safety performance standards for motor
vehicles and motor vehicle equipment
• Making grants to state and local governments to enable them to
conduct effective local highway safety programs.
• Investigate safety defects
• Sets and enforces fuel economy standards
• Help states and local communities reduce the threat of drunk
drivers.
• Promotes the use of safety belts, child safety seats and air bags.
• Investigates odometer fraud, establishes and enforces vehicle
anti-theft regulations and,
• Provides consumer information on motor vehicle safety topics.
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What are Safety Recalls?
Defects OR Failures to Meet
Minimum Safety Standards In
Vehicles OR Equipment
Examples:
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Faulty Airbags
Fires
Tire failures
Fuel leaks
Brake and Steering Failures
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NOT Safety Recalls
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EPA/Emission Recalls
Cosmetic and Comfort Issues
Warranty and Lemon Law Problems
Anything that does not have a connection to safety
Recalls Division
• Summarize and publish new safety recalls information quickly.
• Serve as a first-line to ensure recalls are complete and timely and
remedies are adequate.
• Monitor recalls completion and take measures with
manufacturers to boost owner awareness when necessary.
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Recall Facts and Stats
• Since 1966, there have been over 14,000 safety
recalls conducted, impacting over 700 million
vehicles and equipment products.
• NHTSA investigations have influenced the recall of
more than 50 percent of the 500 million vehicles
recalled
– Child restraints and tires: more than 70% of products
recalled
• CY 2013: More than 500 recalls and over 13M
vehicles to date
Recalls Completion Rates
Completion Rates by Recall Category
80.0
72.8%
70.0
60.0
57.0%
50.0
40.0
42.5%
41.1%
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
CHILD SEATS
EQUIPMENT
TIRES
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VEHICLES
What is NHTSA doing to boost rates?
• Adding new requirements to owner letters to
emphasize importance of the letters
– VIN on every vehicle recall letter
– “IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL” at the top
– Requiring Use of New Label ONLY FOR OFFICIAL LETTERS
Providing easy and efficient ways for the
public to find vehicle-specific safety recalls
information on the world wide web
through . . .
VIN-based recalls search tools
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Two Types of Search Tools ETA September 2014
#1
#2
Manufacturer*
*Large volume light vehicle and motorcycle manufacturers are required to host a
recalls look-up tool online by August 21, 2014.
Manufacturer Look-Up Requirements
• Free
• Link to Tool on Manufacturer’s Main Web Page
• No Sign Up Required; No Exchange of Contact or
Personal Information Required
• Information Refreshed at Least Weekly
• Minimum 15 year rolling window
• VINs must be activated within 60 days of new
recall notice to NHTSA
• May include other service campaign information,
but recalls must appear first.
A Sample Result
NHTSA Recalls Look-Up Tool
! RECALL !
+ VIN
Manufacturer
Why Should You Care?
• Abatement of unsafe vehicular products is critical to
safer roadways
• Unfixed safety issues impact not just you and your
loved ones, but other motorists and their loved ones
• Auto Dealers
– Your reputation?
– Liability exposure?
– Serious violation of Federal law to sell a new vehicle with
an open safety recall. NHTSA actively investigates these
and takes aggressive enforcement action.
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How can YOU help?
• Report defects to us at www.safercar.gov
– Auto Safety Hotline: 1 888-327-4236
• Respond to Recalls. Quickly.
– Dealers: Make Safety Recalls Completion a Priority.
• Use Your Manufacturer’s Intranet Tool.
• Pay Attention to Manufacturer Notices
• Adopt and Enforce a Strict Policy for Recalls Checks
Every.Single.Time a Customer’s Vehicle is in for Service..
– Safercar.gov E-mail Subscription Service
– http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/subscriptions/index.cfm
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How YOU Can Help
• DMVs and Motor Vehicle Boards:
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Check at Vehicle Inspections?
Check at Emissions Inspections?
Check at Registration?
Check at Titling?
Driver’s Education?
How can we work together? How can
NHTSA help you facilitate a program that
SAVES LIVES and PREVENTS INJURIES?
Contact Information
• Jennifer T. Timian
• U.S. Department Of Transportation
NHTSA (NVS-215)
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
Room W48-302
• (202) 366-0209
• jennifer.timian@dot.gov
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