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 South Carolina, as in all states, vehicle safety standards and recall mandates are governed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a federal agency. When a vehicle or vehicle equipment is found to pose a safety risk or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the NHTSA can mandate a recall. Vehicle owners in South Carolina can report safety complaints to the NHTSA, which maintains a public database of these complaints. If the NHTSA receives multiple reports of similar issues, it may conduct an investigation, which could lead to a recall recommendation. Manufacturers are responsible for initiating recalls and must notify vehicle owners within 60 days of the recall decision. They are also required to provide a remedy, which may include repair, replacement, refund, or repurchase of the vehicle. South Carolina residents can use the NHTSA's VIN lookup tool to check if their vehicle has been subject to a recall. If there is a recall, owners should have the issue addressed at a dealership, which should be free of charge, and follow any interim safety guidance provided by the NHTSA or the manufacturer. The NHTSA oversees the entire recall process to ensure compliance and safety for all vehicle owners.
