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 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? 2

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. 4

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. 5

What are Safety Recalls? Defects OR Failures to Meet Minimum Safety Standards In Vehicles OR Equipment Examples: – Faulty Airbags – Fires – Tire failures – Fuel leaks – Brake and Steering Failures 6

NOT Safety Recalls 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. 8

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

11 Completion Rates by Recall Category

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

13 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

Two Types of Search Tools ETA September 2014 Manufacturer * *Large volume light vehicle and motorcycle manufacturers are required to host a recalls look-up tool online by August 21, #1#2

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 VIN ! RECALL !RECALL Manufacturer +

18 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. Why Should You Care?

How can YOU help? Report defects to us at – Auto Safety Hotline: 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 Subscription Service –

How YOU Can Help DMVs and Motor Vehicle Boards: – 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 Room W (202)