The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues vehicle safety standards and requires manufacturers to recall vehicles and equipment's that have safety-related defects.
Complaints
Reporting your problem is the first important step. Your complaint will be added to a public NHTSA database after personally identifying information is removed.
If the agency receives similar reports from a number of people about the same product, this could indicate that a safety-related defect may exist that would warrant the opening of an investigation.
You may report a problem with your vehicle, tires, car seats, or other equipment. The NHTSA reviews every problem and works to keep our roads safe.
Investigations
The NHTSA conducts investigations from reported complaints.
A. Screening
The NHTSA reviews filed complaints from vehicle owners and other information related to alleged defects to decide whether to open an investigation.
B. Analysis
The NHTSA conducts and analysis of any petitions calling for defect investigations. If the petition is denied, the reasons for the denial are published in the Federal Register.
C. Investigation
The NHTSA opens an investigation of alleged safety defects. It is closed when they notify the manufacturer of recall recommendations or they don’t identify a safety-related defect.
Recall Management
The NHTSA reviews filed complaints from vehicle owners and other information related to alleged defects to decide whether to open an investigation.
Recalls
A recall is issued when a manufacturer or the NHTSA determines that a vehicle, equipment, car seat, or tire creates an unreasonable safety risk or fails to meet minimum safety standards. Most decisions to conduct a recall and remedy a safety defect are made voluntarily by manufacturers prior to any involvement by NHTSA.
Manufacturers are required to fix the problem by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund, or in rare cases, repurchasing the vehicle.
You can use the NHTSA’s vehicle identification number (VIN) lookup tool online at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls#vin to find recall information provided by the manufacturer conducting the recall that might not yet be posted on the NHTSA’s website.
Roles in the Recall Process
• Manufacturers will notify registered owners by first class mail within 60 days of notifying NHTSA of a recall decision. Manufacturers should offer a proper remedy to the owner.
• NHTSA will monitor each safety recall to make sure owners receive safe, free, and effective remedies from manufacturers according to the Safety Act and Federal regulations.
• You (the owner) will be notified via mail from the manufacturer. When you receive a notification, follow any interim safety guidance provided by the manufacturer (safety measures to take until you are able to have the repair made) and contact your local dealership to fix the recalled part for free.
In Texas, as in all states, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) oversees vehicle safety standards and mandates recalls for vehicles and equipment with safety-related defects. Texans can report problems with vehicles, tires, car seats, or other equipment to the NHTSA, which then adds the complaints to a public database after removing personal information. If enough similar reports are received, the NHTSA may investigate. This process includes an initial screening, a detailed analysis, and potentially an investigation to determine if a safety defect exists. If a recall is necessary, manufacturers must repair, replace, offer a refund, or occasionally repurchase the vehicle. Manufacturers are required to notify owners by mail and provide a remedy. The NHTSA monitors recalls to ensure compliance. Vehicle owners in Texas can check for recalls using their vehicle identification number (VIN) through the NHTSA's online tool. When notified of a recall, owners should follow any interim safety guidance and have the issue remedied by a local dealership at no cost.
