Jun 12 2008
The way the automobile recall process begins
In response to owner complaints a manufacturer may issue an automobile recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) orders many recalls and influences the recall process. The NHTSA fields safety-related complaints through letters and its toll-free telephone hot line.NHTSA engineers perform an engineering analysis, when the NHTSA registers enough complaints. Then the NHTSA engineers contact the automobile’s manufacturer. The manufacturer must either remedy the defect or launch its own defect investigation.