DOT announces Fiat Chrysler public hearing and issues special order |
|---|
Topics: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
|
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
May 18, 2015
May 18, 2015
Contact: Gordon Trowbridge
Phone: (202) 366-9550
U.S. DOT Announces Fiat Chrysler Public Hearing and Issues Special Order
NHTSA has concerns about 20 recalls and sets public hearing date for July 2
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced that the Department’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will hold a public hearing to determine whether automaker Fiat Chrysler has failed to remedy safety defects and issue required notices in 20 recalls.
During the July 2 hearing, witnesses from NHTSA, the automaker, and the public will be able to present evidence on Fiat Chrysler’s performance in each recall. If NHTSA determines, based on the hearing and other evidence, that the company has failed its legal obligations under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, the agency could order actions designed to improve the company’s performance, including the buy-back or replacement of affected vehicles.
“Any auto defect that compromises the safety of our driving public is unacceptable,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Auto manufacturers are obligated to effectively remedy safety defects when they are discovered, and if they fail in that responsibility, we are obligated to act.”
Today, NHTSA also issued a special order to Fiat Chrysler ordering the company to provide information on its recall performance.
In recent months, NHTSA has identified problems and expressed concerns with the administration, execution, and pace of vehicles being remedied across a number of Fiat Chrysler automobiles. In addition, the agency has received consumer complaints involving parts availability issues, lack of notification, difficulty obtaining service appointments, and misinformation from dealers. Additional information is available on: www.safercar.gov
“It is not enough to identify defects. Manufacturers have to fix them,” Administrator Mark Rosekind said. “Significant questions have been raised as to whether this company is meeting its obligations to protect the drivers from safety defects, and today we are launching a process to ensure that those obligations are met.”
Stay connected with NHTSA:
File a complaint
Search for open recalls with VIN look up
Download the Safercar Mobile App for Appleor Android devices,
Receive recall alerts on RSS feedorEmail.
Visit us on Facebook.com/NHTSA
Follow us on Twitter.com/NHTSAgov